World War II Honoree

Alwin E. Miller

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Sacramento, California

Honored By

Alwin E. Miller

Enlisted in the Air Corps the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Inducted at Monterey, California and shipped to Biloxi, Mississippi. Entered Airplane Mechanic School and sent to Clifton, New Jersey for Propeller Specialist School. Sent to Wilmington, North Carolina and assigned to the 2nd Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group. Arrived in Scotland August 17, 1942, Trained at Maydown, Ireland and Goxhill, England. Arrived in Oran, Algeria, November 11, 1942 for the invasion of North Africa, assigned to the 12th Air Force; Provided air cover for the front lines, attacked German fighters and bombers. Served near Tunis, Tunisia, after the African Campaign ended and transferred to the 12th Coastal Patrol. Moved to Palermo, Sicily and continued coastal patrol in the Mediterranean. Moved to Corsica and traded in the Spitfires for P-51. Moved to Madna, Italy and started long range escorts for the bombers from Africa. Transferred to the 15th Air Force and continued until the end of the war. Squadron finished with 183 1/3 victories with 11 aces. Received Stars for Air Offensive over Europe, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, Rome-Arno, Naples-Foggia.