World War II Honoree

Merritt Shirley Miller

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

San Fernando, California

Honored By

Beverly Diane Lassitter

Relationship

Daughter

1ST LIEUTENANT, ARMY AIR FORCE PILOT IN THE PACIFIC. MEMBER OF THE 7TH ARMY AIR FORCE BOMBER COMMAND, 41ST BOMBER GROUP, 48TH BOMBER SQUADRON. STATIONED ON APAMAMA ATOLL, TARAWA WITH A STAGING AREA AND STRIP CLOSER TO THE ENEMY AT ENIWETOK WHERE HALF THE SQUADRON WAS POSITIONED. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING A BOMBING MISSION ON TARGETS IN PONAPE, HIS B-25G PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN WHILE RETURNING TO ENIWETOK. CREW MEMBERS WERE SEEN IN THE WATER 15 MILES NORTH OF PONAPE BUT MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED IN A MATTER OF HOURS. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION ON MARCH 26, 1944. A PRESUMPTIVE DATE OF DEATH WAS DESIGNATED AS JANUARY 19, 1946.