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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jan '56
James Robert Miller No. 16007 Class of 1946
Died February 26, 1954, near Stewart AFB, NY, aged 29 years.
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JAMES ROBERT MILLER, Captain, U.S.A.F. Thus is he memorialized
in the records of the Air Force. To his friends and associates
in the Air Force his name was "Dogy" and to his family
and many friends in his home town, he was known as "Bob".
My acquaintance with Bob started about ten years ago
and we became, I believe, very close friends. We all knew that
Bob was dedicated to the Air Force and to many of us he was a
symbol of the Air Force and of the Academy. In my opinion he
did great credit to both. He distinguished himself in combat,
receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, with clusters, for
his valor in Korea. His air of confidence and his high competence
undoubtedly made him a fine officer.
As a youngster Bob was always popular. Born, in Marion,
Illinois on June 7, 1924, he went through the schools there with
a better than creditable scholastic average and was elected leader
of his fellows in many activities. He was graduated from the
Academy in 1946, as a pilot in the Air Force. He married Lynne
Sneedon, a South Carolina girl, on October 31, 1946 and they
have one daughter, Cheri Lynne, born in Panama on October 1,
1949.
It is ironic that Bob would die in an airplane accident
near Stewart Air Force Base, where he received flight training
as a cadet and his wings. He was on a routine flight in a T-33.
To us in his home town, it seems incredible that Bob
won't be with us again. Whenever possible, Bob and Lynne and
Cheri came to Marion at Christmas to be with Bob's parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Warner W. Miller, and his aunt, Miss Edna Welton, to
all of whom he was very much endeared, Their visits were as much
a part of Christmas as the trees and tinsel. His passing, with
many of us, will be most felt at that time of year. I know our
thoughts will be of Bob at Christmas time for many years to come.
Each person, it seems, has an outstanding characteristic.
Bob had his share of troubles in this world, but the remarkable
fact Is that I never heard him complain about personal matters.
This seems to me to be an indication of greatness and was Bob's
outstanding characteristic. This facet of his personality was
so unusual that in my life's span thus far I have met no one
else with such a trait. On the other hand, Bob was most sympathetic
to the problems of others. Rather than become glum about these
things, Bob would help by making one forget his troubles and
gain a brighter outlook.
He had great personal charm, was an inveterate story
teller and I am sure that no one ever enjoyed a party more than
he did. This ability to work hard, then play hard, was undoubtedly
learned at the Academy, where time for fun was short, and much
had to be crowded into a brief weekend or vacation.
In summation, I would describe Bob as an officer and
gentleman of the highest caliber. He was an astute flier, kind
and generous friend, devoted son, father and husband and the
epitome of all for which he stood.
This tribute to Bob is made with pride in having been
asked to prepare it, and with great humility and sorrow as a
result of the loss of one of the best friends I'll ever have.
-Frank J. Roan.
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