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Curtis "Curt" George Miller
Jeremy Anderson2021-07-09T13:45:46-05:00
- Name: Curtis "Curt" George Miller
- Location of Birth: Scobey, Montana
- Date of Birth: June 4, 1919
- Date of Death: KIA February 26, 1945 in Battle of Iwo Jima
- Parents: John Miller & Sadie (Estes) Miller
- High School and Class: 1937 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
- College: Minneapolis Business College, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Highest Rank: CPL (Corporal)
- Branch: Marine Corp
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: January 7, 1942
- Place Sworn In:
- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge:
-
- Military Awards:
Purple Heart
- Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: California
Name: Curtis George Miller
Race: White
Age: 21
Birth Date: June 4, 1919
Birth Place: Scobey, Montana, USA
Residence Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
Registration Date: October 16, 1940
Employer: General Plastics Co., Los Angeles, California
Weight: 165
Height: 5-11
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Other characteristic: Scar on right wrist, several scars on forehead
Next of Kin: Mrs. S. M. Miller, mother, Coleraine, Minnesota
Newspaper article: Itasca Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - 1944 – “To L. D. Lammon: Dear ‘Dad,’ Although I’m not too handy when it comes to writing letters, this short note may tend to show my appreciation for the fine job that you and your staff are doing in putting out a ‘jerkwater’ (your own adjective Mr. Editor) paper that in my estimation, can’t be beat. The paper started coming several months ago and has been arriving on schedule ever since. You might be interested in knowing that your paper is also being read here by fellows from many states and these readers, as well as myself, especially enjoy ‘Lammonade’ and ‘Winding Trails.’ I would also like to take this opportunity to say – Well done – to everyone in Coleraine for the many things they’re doing for those in uniform and for doing so much to help win this war. I’m really looking forward to dropping in for a personal hello when I get back to the good old U.S.A. Sincerely, Curt Miller”
Newspaper article: Itasca Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - 1944 – “From ‘Central Pacific,’ Curt Miller says the pictures of Coleraine were especially welcome and that he receives The Iron News ‘fairly regular.’ He says a lot has happened which they ‘don’t talk about’; but that ‘everything is fine, plenty of fresh food, movies, and occasionally a dark-skinned girl to whistle at!”
Newspaper article: April 5, 1945 – “FORMER LOCAL BOY SACRIFICES LIFE FOR COUNTRY - Corporal Curtis Miller Killed In Battle for Iwo Jima – Mrs. Sadie Miller of Los Angeles received a telegram from the War Department this week notifying her of the death of her son, Curtis, in the battle of Iwo Jima. The Miller family is well known in this community, having lived here for over twenty years. Curtis, an active, sunny youth, was a popular leader among the young people in Coleraine, and his death is deeply felt by many friends. Curtis Miller was born at Scobey, Montana, in Daniels County. The Miller family moved to Coleraine when he was but a youngster. His entire schooling, from kindergarten through high school, took place at Greenway. During his Senior year at high school Curtis was president of the Hi-Y club. After graduation he assisted his mother in the Miller café until the family moved to Los Angeles in 1941. Early in 1943 Curtis entered the U.S. Army. He was made a corporal in March of 1944. Curtis is survived by his mother, Mrs. Sadie Miller, of Los Angeles; a sister, Mrs. Henry Bush, also of Los Angeles; and his younger brother, John, who is at present stationed in the Marshall Islands with the U.S. Army.”
Newspaper article: Itasca Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota – April 19, 1945 – “LETTER TO IRON NEWS FROM MOTHER OF CURTIS MILLER – The Itasca Iron News office received the following letter from Mrs. Sadie Miller, relative to the announcement of the death of her son, Curtis, which was published several weeks ago.
“We received the April fifth issue of your paper yesterday, and I am very sorry that you did not receive the details relative to Curt’s death, as there should be several corrections on the article. Curtis was with the Marines of the 3rd Division when he lost his life on Iwo Jima. He had been overseas for over two years and took part in several battles in the South Pacific. He joined the Marines in December of 1941, entering the service on January 7, 1942. After leaving Minneapolis Business college in 1938 he came to Los Angeles and was Employed at Sunkist Fruit Growers Exchange up until the time of his enlistment.”
The Itasca Iron News is sorry it didn’t have these details when Curtis’ picture was published last week. Mrs. Miller lives at 1815 Carmona Ave., Los Angeles, California, but formerly she lived in Coleraine.”
Newspaper article: Itasca Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota – September 1945 – “IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR NYMAN, MILLER – Many Attend Memorial Services for Coleraine Marines - The Coleraine Presbyterian church was packed to overflowing Sunday afternoon, Sept. 9, when the people of this community and relatives and friends of the late Pfc. Robert Nyman and Cpl. Curtis Miller gathered to pay their respects to the memory of these two gallant Marines who lost their lives during this war. Members of the American Legion were present in a body, and 24 World War II veterans were present in uniform. Ushers were Marines, Tony Casio, Ralph Carlson and Marine veteran Warren Sacket Jr. Veterans Virgil Baker and Harold Morken presented the Colors. Following an organ prelude by Mrs. F. S. Fisk, Rev. R. W. Hauser read the invocation. Letters were read from the 6th Marine Chaplain, A. A. Vanderquft, S.S.M.C. Commandant, and the commanding general, Sheppard. Edw. Loughrea, the county service officer of the Red Cross, read the statement of the purpose of the Memorial, followed by a vocal duet by Mrs. R. J. Scofield and Arthur L. Anderson. Mr. Anderson also sang “My Buddy” during the impressive services. Rev. Hauser closed the Memorial service with the following words: “In memory of those two lads, Robert Nyman and Curtis Miller, and all others who have given their lives as a ‘Supreme Sacrifice’ for their county, and have answered the call and summons of the Great Commander of All Divisions, we will stand in silence and with bowed heads.” During the silent prayer, taps were played by Wm. Holt of Calumet and Henry Winch of Marble. Mr. and Mrs. H. Nyman, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Nyman, and Edwin Nyman wish to thank all those who took part in the Memorial Services and also those who donated the beautiful flowers. They also wish to thank those who have sent card or letters and all who have made personal or telephone calls since they received the news of the death of their son and brother, Robert Nyman, in such a faraway land.”
- Wars Involved:
World War II
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Cpl. Curtis Miller was originally buried in Iwo Jima 3rd Marine Division Cemetery. On April 10, 1948 reburial was made in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California (Section D, Site 386).
- Tribal Affiliation(s):
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