First on Point...7 December 1941

[tarbridge]

 

RM1c William Cicero Miller...USN

"Fair Winds and following Seas"

 

Birth: Jul. 18, 1919

Thomasville

Davidson County

North Carolina, USA

Death: Dec. 7, 1941

Pearl Harbor

Honolulu County

Hawaii, USA

 

William Cicero Miller was born on 18 July 1919 in Thomasville, N.C. and enlisted in the Navy as an apprentice seaman at Raleigh, N.C. on 20 October 1937. After instruction at the Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Va., Miller was advanced to the rate of seaman 2d class on 21 February 1938 and joined Scouting Squadron (VS) 6, attached to the aircraft carrier Enterprise (CV 6), on 30 September of that year.

Miller remained with VS-6 into 1941 and became the rear-seat man for Lt. Clarence E. Dickinson, Jr. around April of that year. In the ensuing months the two became an efficient pilot/radioman team; and, on the morning of 7 December 1941, they both boarded their aircraft, a Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, for what was to be a routine scouting flight. They were under orders to proceed to Ford Island and land there to refuel. Their ship, Enterprise, together with the rest of Task Force 8, would return later that day. Dickinson and Miller arrived over Oahu to discover the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor underway. After one of the section had been shot down by a Japanese fighter, the commander of VS-6, Lt. Comdr. Halstead Hopping, broadcast the word that Pearl Harbor was being attacked. Miller and the other rear-seat men immediately unlimbered their .30-caliber machine guns. Attacking "Zero" fighters riddled Dickinson's plane, but Miller, already wounded once, downed one and ultimately exhausted his ammunition in the defense of the aircraft until she had been set afire. Dickinson called for Miller to bail out but received no answer. The pilot managed to get out of the falling plane; but Miller, either dead or so severely wounded that he was unable to free himself from the aircraft, remained with it until it crashed into a cane field. For his devotion to duty, despite his wounds, Miller was awarded a posthumous commendation by the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet. USS William C. Miller (DE 259) (1943-1945) was the first ship named in his honor .

 

In the midst of the attack, one of the VS-6 pilots, Lieutenant C. E. Dickinson Jr., USN, and his gunner, William C. Miller, RM1c, USN, flying in the SBD-2 Dauntless 6-S-4, flying with another Dauntless, were engaged by many Japanese planes. Lt. Dickinsons report read:

 

At 0825, I was approaching Barbers Point from the south at 1500 feet altitude when I noticed numerous shell splashes in the water by the entrance to Pearl Harbor. I then looked for the source. I could see one cruiser and three destroyers about three miles off the entrance but they were not firing. Upon looking upwards I saw numerous anti-aircraft bursts above Pearl Harbor. Ewa Field was on fire sending up dense smoke as high as 5000 feet above Barbers Point. Smoke was rising from what turned out to be the USS ARIZONA. This covered the channel area and as yet I had seen no other planes.I called 6-S-9 alongside and started climbing, at 4000 feet I leveled off over Barbers Point. I had seen no enemy planes as yet, but was very shortly attacked by two Japanese fighters as we headed towards Pearl Harbor. The above two enemy planes apparently concentrated on 6-S-9. As we went down to 1000 feet headed towards Pearl Harbor the above enemy planes were joined by about four others. At that time 6-S-9 caught on fire from the right side of the engine and the right main tank. It lost speed and dropped about 50 yards astern and to the left. I could see it still attempting to fight as it slowly circled to the left losing altitude. I lost sight of it but in a few seconds noticed it below me just as it struck the ground. I saw a parachute open at about 200 feet altitude with the occupant apparently safe.During this time, my plane was under fire from 3 5 enemy planes. My gunner reported that he had been hit followed by a report that he had hit an enemy plane. He then stated that all of his ammunition was expended and that he had been hit again. I looked aft and saw a Japanese plane on fire slowly losing speed and altitude but did not actually see him strike the ground. At this time I was able to get in two short bursts from my fixed guns as one enemy aircraft pulled ahead.My left tank being on fire and my controls being shot away, I told the gunner to jump. The plane went into a right spin at about 1000 feet altitude. When it started to spin, I made the necessary preparations and jumped. My parachute functioned normally and I landed unhurt in the vicinity of Ewa Field. I arrived at Pearl Harbor about 0930 and crossed to Ford Island where I reported to my Commanding Officer.

 

Lt. Dickinson and RM1c Millers action that day were probably the US Navys first confirmed aerial victory of World War II in fact, it was RM1c Miller who shot down the attacking Japanese plane, though seriously injured he was unable to bail out and was killed in the subsequent crash of his aircraft. Lt. Dickinson would go on to participate in the Battle of Midway and in numerous other engagements, ending the war with three Navy Cross awards

[Rakkasan187]

Incredible acts of courage exhibited by many brave souls on that day 76 years ago...

 

Lest We Forget...

 

Leigh

[katieony]

Robert,

Thank you for sharing his story and images of his medals.

Mike

[huntssurplus]

This is a really nice story thanks for sharing. Never forget those lost on this day, they are all hero's.

 

Hunt

[KASTAUFFER]

Thanks for sharing Robert and remembering him. He and Otis Lee Dennis were "shipmates". http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/26277-uss-enterprise-kia-grouping-1941-42-scouting-squadron-6/

 

Kurt

[bobgee]

Outstanding, Robert. Thank you for sharing this group with us on 'Pearl Harbor Day'. R.I.P. Sailor Miller. Semper Fi.......Bob

[kanemono]

Amazing!

[BigJohn#3RD]

God Bless Him and His Shipmates Who Died in the Service of This Great Nation those many years ago.

Rest In Peace

[Kurt Barickman]

Robert,

 

Another great NC group from your collection, thanks for sharing during the Pearl Harbor timeframe.

 

Kurt