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Miller, Robert J
Robert John Miller was born in July 3, 1922 and grew up in Malvern, Pennsylvania. His father, Frank, was a World War I veteran.
Robert graduated from Tredyffrin-Easttown High School in 1940. He was on the Forestry Committee and the All State Orchestra Transportation Committee. After school, Robert worked at the Sun Shipbuilding Company in Chester.
Robert married Doris Clayton of Malvern.
Robert was inducted inton service in the Army on July 7, 1942. After basic training at Camp Forrest, TN, he was sent to Fort Dix, NJ. Robert was assigned to Company A, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th “Blue Ridge” Infantry Division, also known as “Patton’s Troubleshooters”. Robert's division was then sent overseas to England, sailing July 4, 1944 aboard the SS Queen Mary - a luxury liner converted to a troopship.
Robert graduated from Tredyffrin-Easttown High School in 1940. He was on the Forestry Committee and the All State Orchestra Transportation Committee. After school, Robert worked at the Sun Shipbuilding Company in Chester.
Robert married Doris Clayton of Malvern.
Robert was inducted inton service in the Army on July 7, 1942. After basic training at Camp Forrest, TN, he was sent to Fort Dix, NJ. Robert was assigned to Company A, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th “Blue Ridge” Infantry Division, also known as “Patton’s Troubleshooters”. Robert's division was then sent overseas to England, sailing July 4, 1944 aboard the SS Queen Mary - a luxury liner converted to a troopship.
The Blue Ridge Infantry division was ferried to France on LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks) and Liberty ships, landing at Omaha Beachhead in Normandy on August 2. On August 8, they hastily went into battle over the LeMans bridgehead to stop the German counterattack at Avranches.
Robert was wounded and hospitalized on August 12, and upon recovery, returned to duty on October 4.
The 80th Division maneuvered to close a loop around the Germans, called the Falaise Pocket, then mopped up the area capturing thousands. In November, Robert’s division maintained a defense west of Seil, preparing for the Third Army’s sweep into the vital industrial Saar Basin. This sweep began on November 8 with the 80th division advancing across the basin with heavy casualties.
Private First Class Robert John Miller was killed in action on November 8, 1944 in France. He was buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold (Moselle), France. Robert was honored with a Purple Heart and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star.
Research by Don Wambold, WCMSC
Robert was wounded and hospitalized on August 12, and upon recovery, returned to duty on October 4.
The 80th Division maneuvered to close a loop around the Germans, called the Falaise Pocket, then mopped up the area capturing thousands. In November, Robert’s division maintained a defense west of Seil, preparing for the Third Army’s sweep into the vital industrial Saar Basin. This sweep began on November 8 with the 80th division advancing across the basin with heavy casualties.
Private First Class Robert John Miller was killed in action on November 8, 1944 in France. He was buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold (Moselle), France. Robert was honored with a Purple Heart and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star.
Credits
Research by Don Wambold, WCMSC