Personal Narrative 3D Object Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Ewing H. Miller, II Collection

Veterans History Project Service Summary:

War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps
Unit of Service: 715th Bomb Squadron, 449th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force
Location of Service: Miami, Florida; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; Ellington Field, Texas; North Africa; Sicily, Italy; European Theater
Highest Rank: First Lieutenant

“News of the day--I soloed yesterday--biggest thrill of my life.” (Letter to mother, November 20, 1943)

Much like his father--a World War I veteran who passed away a few months before his son was born--Ewing H. Miller II’s pursuit of a career in architecture was cut short by a world war. After entering the University of Pennsylvania in 1941, Miller joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. Assigned to the 715th Bomb Squadron, 449th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, he served as the copilot on a B-24 bomber in the European Theater—an apropos job for someone who signed his letters with the nickname “Wing.” When his plane was shot down on his 21st mission in mid-February, 1945, he was the sole survivor of his crew, and he spent the next few months as a prisoner of war before his liberation in May 1945. Following his discharge, he went on to a distinguished career in architecture. The 56 letters in his collection, written mostly to his mother, describe his stateside training, transfer overseas, and interactions with civilians while stationed in Italy.