World War II Honoree

John Ellsworth Miner, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Waterloo, Iowa

Honored By

John E. Miner, Jr.

Relationship

Son

SERIAL NUMBER 17071457. WEAPONS SERGEANT IN COMPANY B OF THE 1876TH AVIATION ENGINEER BATTALION. HE WAS ONE OF THE CADRE OF THE 1876TH AVIATION ENGINEER BATTALION IN MARCH 1943 AT MARCH FIELD, CALIFORNIA. UNIT WENT TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC IN JANUARY 1944 ON D-DAY AT FINSCHAFFEN, NEW GUINEA; AITAPE, NEW GUINEA; MAFFIN BAY, NEW GUINEA; D DAY ON MOROTAI ISLAND; D DAY LINGAYEN GULF, LUZON ISLAND THE PHILIPPINES. THE UNIT BUILT AIRFIELDS EVERYWHERE, CONTROL BUILDINGS, HANGERS, ROADS, BRIDGES. THE UNIT BUILT THE BAILEY BRIDGE ACROSS THE PASIG RIVER IN MANILA, LUZON ISLAND AND MANY OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS. THE UNIT RECEIVED THE PRESIDENTIAL MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD. WHILE ON MOROTAI ISLAND, JOHN WITH THE HELP OF UNIT CRANE OPERATORS, REMOVED THE TO GUN TURRET FROM A WRECKED B-25 BILLY MITCHELL BOMBER AND MOUNTED IT IN THE RING FOR THE .50 CALIBER MACHINE GUN OVER THE CO-DRIVER'S SEAT IN THE COMPANY HALF-TRACK. THEREFORE THE HALF-TRACK HAD 2 .50 CALIBER MACHINE GUNS IN A ELECTRIC POWERED TURRET THAT HAD POWERED ELEVATION AND TARGET TRACKING WITH AUTOMATIC RANGE ELEVATION AND LEAD CONTROL FOR THE MACHINE GUNS; PROBABLY THE ONLY SO EQUIPPED HALF-TRACK IN THE U.S. SERVICES. HE CAME HOME ON THE POINT SYSTEM BEFORE THE UNIT WENT TO JAPAN.