PFC Jacob M. Miller
Today we honor and remember PFC Jacob M. Miller of the 101st Airborne Division.
Private First Class (PFC) Jacob M. Miller of 326th Medical Company, 101st Airborne Division, was born in Rockwell, Rowan County, North Carolina, to Jacob M. and Gertrude M. (Misenheimer) Miller on August 25, 1914. Jacob was their oldest child. He had two brothers, Clifford L. and Harry W., and two sisters, Bernice and Vela Mae Miller. His brother Clifford died at age 6 in 1925. Harry also served in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Jacob registered for the draft in his hometown on October 16, 1940. At the time, he was employed by Cannon Mills Company in Rockwell, a producer of all-purpose cloth and kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom textile products. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, Colombia, South Carolina, on February 27, 1942, and was assigned to the 326th Medical Company.
After finishing the stateside training with his company, Jacob moved to New York with his outfit. On September 5, 1943, he left the United States when the H.M.S. Samaria pulled away from a New York Harbor pier. The ship arrived in Liverpool, England, on September 15th. The men of the 326th Medical Company were billeted near Templeton House and Standen Manor, Berkshire.
After more training and exercises, the 326th Med Co was committed to action by parachute, glider, and sea on D-Day.
In the early morning hours of D-Day, Major Albert. J. Crandall of Burlington, Vermont, a senior officer of the surgical team attached to the Medical Company, established himself and his group of officers and enlisted men in the Chateau Columbierés, near Hiesville, France. The medical assistance the men performed went very well until a tragic moment.
On the night of June 9, 1944, at around 23:35 hrs., the hospital was dive-bombed by an enemy plane. Two direct hits were scored on the station. One crater produced by a delayed action bomb was seventy feet across and 65 feet deep.
The Morning Report of the company mentions ten enlisted men killed in action. It was a devastating moment, forbidden by the Geneva Conventions, but that did not stop the pilot from dropping his bombs which killed PFC Jacob Miller and many others.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Jacob’s mother passed away on July 21, 1944, about a month after his untimely death.
PFC Jacob Miller was first buried at the temporary military cemetery of Blosville (Block I, Row 5, Grave 89) and was reburied at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy (Plot E, Row 16, Grave 17). Besides his family, he left behind his wife Odelia, who he had married at an unknown date. May he rest in peace.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Jacob.
Lest we forget! 🇺🇸
Sources:
Family Search
After Action Report for the 326th Medical Company
A Rendezvous with Destiny (By Rapport & Norwood)