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Personal info

Full name
MILLER, Jesse Reid Jr
Date of birth
12 September 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Washington County, Georgia
Hometown
Washington County, Georgia

Military service

Service number
O1286164
Rank
Captain
Function
unknown
Unit
18th Infantry Regiment,
1st Infantry Division
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
21 April 1945
Place of death
Harz mountains, East of Osterode am Harz, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
B 6 1

Immediate family

Members
Jesse R. Miller Sr. (father)
Ethel L. (Avant) Miller (mother)
Annie M. Miller (sister)
Willie B. Miller (brother)
Ollis R. Miller (brother)
James A. Miller (brother)
Helen Miller (sister)
Felton Miller (brother)

More information

Capt Jesse R. Miller, Jr. enlisted on 11 April 1941. He attended Officers Training School at Fort Benning, was commissioned in June 1942 and was sent overseas in July 1942.

He participated in all the campaigns of his unit: Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Normandy and the entire advance in Europe.

The citations of his two Silver Stars stated:
"First Lieutenant (Infantry) Jesse R. Miller, Jr. (ASN: 0-1286164), United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action during World War II. First Lieutenant Miller's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

This first Silver Star was awarded for actions during the figting in Tunisia.

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Jesse R. Miller, Jr. (ASN: 0-1286164), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany on 25 November 1944. Captain Miller's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

The citations of his two Distinghuised Service Crosses stated: "The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Jesse R. Miller Jr., First Lieutenent, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infanty Division, in action against enemy forces on 15 June 1944. First Lieutenant Miller's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army."

"The President of the United States takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously) to Jesse R. Miller Jr., First Lieutenant, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 19 October 1944. First lieutenant Miller's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army." He drove a jeep twice across open fields while under strong enemy fire from Germans to get ammunition for forward positions and distributed it in full view of the enemy.

Note: The ABMC Database only mentions two Distinguished Service Crosses as being awarded to Capt Miller. Other records and a picture of his awards, provided by his family, show that Capt Miller was also awarded other medals, as mentioned above.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.homeoftheheroes.com, www.ibiblio.org/hyperwarwww.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, The Miller Family