World War II Honoree

Walter H. Miller

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

San Diego, California

Honored By

Michelle Renigar

Relationship

Daughter

PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. TELEPHONE FIELD OPERATOR, U.S. MARINE CORPS 6TH DIVISION. SERVED FROM OCTOBER 25, 1943 UNTIL HONORABLY DISCHARGED NOVEMBER 8, 1945. THE 6TH DIVISION TRAINED AT GUADALCANAL FOR 5 MONTHS BEFORE THE FLEET MOVED INTO POSITION AROUND THE RYUKYU ISLANDS IN MARCH 1945. THE LANDING AT OKINAWA (OPERATION ICEBERG) BEGAN EARLY ON EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1945. A RAGING 82 DAY BATTLE FOLLOWED. MAY 12-18 WAS FILLED WITH SOME OF THE MOST SAVAGE FIGHTING IN MARINE CORPS LORE. ON JUNE 21, 1945 U.S. VICTORY WAS ACHIEVED; THE BATTLE FOR OKINAWA WAS OVER. SOLDIERS REGROUPED, PREPARED FOR THE UPCOMING ASSAULT ON MAINLAND JAPAN. THIS BATTLE NEVER MATERIALIZED DUE TO THE DROPPING OF 2 ATOM BOMBS, LITTLE BOY' ON HIROSHIMA AND 'FAT MAN' ON NAGASAKI. THE 6TH DIVISION RECEIVED 2 PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS FOR ACCOMPLISHING THEIR MISSIONS AT OKINAWA UNDER EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. BURIED AT NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC; HONOLULU, HAWAII.