World War II Honoree

Wayne Kenneth Miller

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Riverside, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant Major. He served as First Sergeant with Echo Company, Second Battalion, an element of Fourth Marine Regiment. His unit was based at Fort Mills Location: Corregidor Island AKA: the Rock and participated in the Battle of Corregidor against the Imperial Japanese forces (Battle Dates: May 5-6, 1942). When his Commander General Wainwright capitulated to the enemy, he was captured and detained at the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan, Luzon Island. Wednesday, December 13, 1944 he boarded the Japanese ‘Hell Ship’ Oryoku Maru, an unmarked merchant vessel, destined for Japan via Formosa. While anchored in Subic Bay Harbor, it was attacked and sunk December 15, 1944 by U.S. Naval Fighters assigned to the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier. Sunday, December 31, 1944 he was reported missing in action or buried at sea. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.