42-93372         C47

 

On 15 June 1944, a C-47A, # 42-93372, assigned to 3rd Combat Cargo Group, 11th Combar Cargo Squadron, departed the airfield at Sookerating, India, on an air resupply mission and return. It was last seen by an eyewitness to the crash that killed everyone on board at 25º 31’ North and 96º 50’ East, when it hit some trees and crashed. Two Chinese soldiers said that the C-47A propellars hit trees before crashing. All crew members were from the 11th Combat Cargo Squadron on detached service to the 1st Troop Carrier Squadron, except 1stLt Miller, who was from Station # 10 (A.T.C.) on detached service to the 1st Troop Carrier Squadron. The three Air Supply Droppers were from the 3841st Quartermaster Truck Company. Those crew and droppers were:

 

                                                   Pilot                             1stLt Deroy L. Miller                          0-666334

                                                   Co-Pilot                       2ndLt James E. Norton                        0-666339

                                                   Engineer                      TSgt Paul R. Lambert                          18019526

                                                   Radio Operator            PFC Richard (NMI) Adler                   31314076

                                                   Air Supply Dropper     Cpl Robert N. Closen                          36065333

                                                   “                                   PFC Olden F. Claiborn                        36515104

                                                   “                                   PVT Henry I. Kaler                             31388686

No next-of-kin list was in the file.

MILLER, DEROY LEE, First Lieutenant, # 0-666334, USAAF

 

Deroy L. Miller was born on 29 November 1920 in Rosenberg, Texas, to Hugo Frederick Miller (1882-1943) and Mina “Minnie” Pauline (Sonntag) Miller (1884-1973) (married 17 January 1912). Siblings included Arthur Earnest “Buster” Hugo Miller (1913-1984), Vernon Mark Miller (1918-1924), and Hugo F. Miller Jr. (1927-1931).  On 25 March 1943 he married Merry Estella Kone (1921-1996) in the First Presbyterian Church, Miami, Dade Co., Florida. In 1950 his mother lived at 1119 Brazos St., Rosenberg, TX.

 

He registered for theWWII draft when a student at Southwest Texas Teachers College, San Marcos, Texas. He enlisted in the USAAF as an aviation cadet at Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas, on 19 January 1942 and reported to Kelly Field for training. He described himself as 6’ 1 ½”, 182 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. He completed flight schools through advanced training and was multi-engine rated. He earned his commission and pilot wings. He was sent overseas to India. On 15 June 1944, a C-47A, # 42-93372, assigned to 3rd Combat Cargo Group, 11th Combat Cargo Squadron, departed the airfield at Sookerating, India, on an air resupply mission and return. It was last seen by an eyewitness to the crash that killed everyone on board at 25º 31’ North and 96º 50’ East, when it hit some trees and crashed. Two Chinese soldiers said that the C-47A propellars hit trees before crashing. All crew members were from the 11th Combat Cargo Squadron on detached service to the 1st Troop Carrier Squadron, except 1stLt Miller, who was from Station # 10 (A.T.C.) on detached service to the 1st Troop Carrier Squadron. His remains were recovered and buried in the Rosenberg Cemetery, Rosenberg, Fort Bend Co., Texas. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

 

His brother, Arthur E. Miller, born 14 January 1913, was a SSgt in the U.S. Army during WW II from 4 January 1941 to 26 March 1943. He died 20 November 1984 and is buried in the Rosenberg Cemetery, Rosenberg, Texas.