World War II Honoree

Thomas Robert Miller

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps December 24, 1942 with induction at Chicago, Illinois. He completed basic training with the Eleventh Recruit Battalion Recruit Depot; Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp, he was transferred to Camp Geiger, North Carolina for combat training. Following infantry training, he served as a Rifleman with Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, First Marine Regiment, an element of the First Marine ‘the Old Breed’ Division. His division participated in the amphibious assault on Peleliu Island (Battle Dates: September 15-November 27, 1944) Code Name: Operation Stalemate II. Location: Western Pacific Theater of Operations. Friday, September 15, 1944 he was mortally wounded, during combat operations against the Imperial army forces, with burial in the U.S. Armed Forces Peleliu battlefield cemetery. In the post-war era, this Marines’ family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at the Saint Adalbert Catholic Cemetery Niles, Illinois. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.