World War II Honoree

John Joseph Miller

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Gilberton, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Corporal. He was a United States Marine, who experienced combat as a 30th Replacement Draftee attached to the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 'The Old Breed' Division. He fought in the Battle of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands (Invasion Dates: Easter Sunday, April 1-June 22, 1945) Code Name: Operation Iceberg. On Thursday, June 21, 1945 he was Killed in Action and buried in the First Marine Division Battlefield Cemetery on Okinawa. The eighty day battle has been described as 'The Typhoon of Steel' and became the largest amphibious assault of World War II. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were transferred to Honolulu, with interment in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, 'Punchbowl' Hawaii. Decoration and Citation: Purple Heart. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.