World War II Honoree

Marion Wilson Mills, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Athens, Georgia

Honored By

Kathy Mills Anthony

Relationship

Daughter

ENLISTED IN JANUARY 1942, AFTER PEARL HARBOR. SERVED ON THE USS MIANTONOMOH (MINE LAYING SHIP). LAID MINES BETWEEN TRINIDAD AND VENEZUELA TO HIT GERMAN U-BOATS NEAR KEY WEST, FLORIDA. IN SUPPORT OF THE INVASION OF AFRICA IN NOVEMBER 1942, HIS SHIP LAID MINES ON THE PERIMETER OF THE INVADING FLEET. THE USS MIANTONOMOH CARRIED GASOLINE TO FRANCE, TANK MOTORS FROM ENGLAND TO FRANCE AND FRENCH CIVILIANS HOME TO FRANCE. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 1944, THE SHIP HIT A GERMAN MINE AND SANK. HE WAS BLOWN INTO THE AIR AND SUFFERED A BROKEN BACK, BROKEN COLLAR BONE AND SHRAPNEL WOUNDS TO THE HEAD. RESCUED IN A LITTLE FLAT-BOTTOMED BOAT AND CARRIED TO LE HAVRE, FRANCE. TREATED IN AN ARMY FIELD HOSPITAL AND OTHER HOSPITALS IN FRANCE AND ENGLAND. THE NAVY SHIPPED HIM TO NEW YORK ON THE QUEEN MARY. DISCHARGED ON MAY 28, 1945.