S/Sgt
Leo A. MILLER

Leo A. Miller
S/Sgt Leo Miller. Photo courtesy of cousin George Horst.
Hometown During Time of Service: Norfolk, NE
Assigned to the 100th Bombardment Group
Location:
Unit: 351st Bombardment Squadron
Rank:
Position: Radio Operator / Gunner
Beginning Date of 100th Service: Unknown
Time of Service at Thorpe Abbotts: Unknown - Unknown
Additional 100th Service Notes
Status: CPT
Comments: 13 JUL 44 MUNICH
Media Articles
Use your thumb to scroll through the results box below.
| Media Item | Type | Page | Volume/Issue | Broadcast Source | Time | Description | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leo Miller promoted to T/SGT | Norfolk Daily News April 29 1944 | 12:00 am | |||||
| Leo Miller 3rd Cluster | Norfolk daily News July 15 1944 | 12:00 am | |||||
| Leo Miller Third Cluster with photo | Norfolk Daily News July 17 1944 | 12:00 am | |||||
| Leo Miller home after 33 missions | The Lincoln Star September 1 1944 | 12:00 am |
Comments and Notes
Memo 1:
CREW
2ND LT GLENN W. RAKE P CPT 12 JUL 44 MUNCIH,
2ND LT DOUGLAS R. DRYSDALE CP CPT 29 JUL 44 MERSEBURG,OIL REF & HILDESHEIM (TRANS. TO 364TH FG, SHOT DOWN, EVA)
2ND LT ROBERT L. MISHLER NAV CPT 12 JUL 44 MUNICH,
2ND LT FRANCIS L. CATE BOM CPT 12 JUL 44 MUNICH,
S/SGT EDWARD C. ROGERS TTE CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES
S/SGT LEO A. MILLER ROG CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES
SGT EARL E. EVANS TG CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES
SGT LOUIS TEKEL BTG CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES (crediited with 2 fighers destroyed)
SGT ROBERT J. BOURQUIN WG CPT DATE & MISSION UNK
SGT DAVID M. PFLAUM WG CPT DATE & MISSION UNK TAPS: 31 AUG 1974
351ST SQDN.. CREW, AS ABOVE, JOINED THE 100TH ON 06 MAR 1944. (WHAT A DAY TO ARRIVE, THE 100TH LOST 15 AT BERLIN..pw). CREW TRANSFERRED TO 349TH SQUADRON ON JUNE 1, 1944. (MPF 2001)
AFTER 17-20 MISSIONS DRYSDALE TRANSFERRED TO SQUADRON LEAD CREW OF RAY MONRAD AND FLEW MOST OF HIS REMAINING MISSIONS WITH THE MONRAD CREW. WAS MADE A "LUCKY BASTARD" AFTER 33 MISSIONS AND THEN APPLIED FOR A TOUR IN P-51S. ON HIS SECOND MISSION (AIR BOURNE INVASION OF HOLLAND, OPERATION: MARKET GARDEN) WAS HIT BY FLAK (BRIDGE AT NIJMEGEN) AND WAS HIDDEN BY THE DUTCH UNDERGROUND. RETURNED TO ENGLAND AND SENT IMMEDIATELY BACK TO THE USA OVER HIS OBJECTIONS. HIS COMMANDING OFFICER DECIEDING IT WAS ENOUGH COMBAT FOR LT DRYSDALE IN ONE WAR.
Lt Drysdale completed his tour and then joined the 364th Fighter Groug, 385th Fighter Squadron, flying P-51's. On his second Mission on Septmeber 17, 1944 he was shot down by flak near Neimegan, (part of Operation Market Garden). He was hid by the Dutch and then was rescued by 82nd Airborne.
In a letter from Doug Drysdale dated Aug 11, 2003, Lt Drysdale states: "I was made First Pilot, effective 26 July 44. I got a crew, and flew my 33rd mission as first pilot on 28 July 44 to Merseburg with it being the first mission for the rest of the Crew. When I landed the crew chief welcomed me with a the salutation "You Lucky Bastard----you've finished your tour!" They reduced me from the 35 missions requirement because of the lead crew missions with Ray Monrad.
The Crew I flew with (Lt Coccia) went back to Merseburg the next day and got shot down. Squadron Order No. 33 dated 16 Aug 44 confirmed my rating as First Pilot as of 26 July 44 signed by "Flak Willy" alias Bob Williams, Squadron Adjutant. Incidentally, immediately after completion of the 33rd mission with the 100th I got "Pappy" the 351st truck driver to drive me to the 364th Fighter Group at Honington; walked in, and said, "I want to fly the little one" The Group CO talked to me and said, "Lt., I want you". He Called LeMay at 3rd Division and about four days later I started my second tour in P-51's with the 364th. I should have stayed home-------- I got shot down on my second mission, evaded, and got home in Oct 44.
Finally: Lt Rake reported a mission in which he landed with 2 engines feathered. This never happened; we never landed with a feathered fan. I was on the mission to which he referred, so the knowledge is first hand. The A/C did get a thorough flakking however, a flat tire, bombay doors damaged to the extent that we flew back with them open the entire way, #3 engine leaking oil liberally, and leaving a trail of smoke the whole return trip." …………Maj Douglas R. Drysdale
MISSIONS OF 2ND LT FRANCIS L. CATE sn# O-684606 and LT MISHLER
Mission # Date Target Aircraft # Bomb Load
1 15 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany 389 (on Lt L.G. Lacy Crew)
2 16 Mar 44 Augsburg 256
3 22 Mar 44 Berlin, Germany 983 Incnediary
4 23 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany 983 Incendiary
5 27 Mar 44 Merignac, France 047 Incendiary
6 01 Apr 44 Ludwidshafen, Germany 256 Incendiary & Demolition
7 11 Apr 44 Rostock, Germany 256 Demolition
8 12 Apr 44 Leipzig, Germany 3938 Demolition
9 13 Apr 44 Augsburg, Germany 018 Demolition
10 18 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany 389 Incendiary & Demolition
11 19 Apr 44 Lippstadt 256 Demolition
12 22 Apr 44 Hamm, Germany 767 Demolition
13 24 Apr 44 Freidrichshafen, Ger 256 Demolition
14 25 Apr 44 Dijon, France 983 Demolition
15 29 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany 256 Incendiary
16 01 May 44 Saarquemines, France 412 Demolition
17 07 May 44 Berlin, Germany 412 Demolition
18 08 May 44 Berlin, Germany 007 Incendiary
19 09 May 44 Paris, France AF Laon Atries 256 Demolition
20 13 May 44 Osnabruck, Germany 256 Demolition
21 19 May 44 Berlin, Germany 126 Demolition
22 27 May 44 Strasbourg, Germany 256 Demolition
23 28 May 44 Magdeburg, Germany 256 Demolition
24 30 May 44 Troyes, France 256 Demolition
25 05 Jun 44 Boulogne, France 416 Demolition
26 06 Jun 44 French Coast (Falasie) 416 Demolition (D-day)
27 08 Jun 44 Tours, France 416 Demolition
28 11 Jun 44 Berck sur Mer 859 Demolition
29 14 Jun 44 Le Culet 859 Demolition
30 04 Jul 44 Gien, France 393 Demolition
31 06 Jul 44 Secret (Fleury-Crepeoli) No-Ball 393 Demolition
32 07 Jul 44 Bohlem, Germany 977 Demolition
33 08 Jul 44 Calais, France area 977 Demolition
34 11 Jul 44 Munich 393 Incendiary
35 12 Jul 44 Munich 977 Incendiary
.
Mission Log of Glenn W. Rake Crew
Mission # Date Target Aircraft # Bomb Load
1 16 Mar 44 Augsburg 256
2 22 Mar 44 Berlin, Germany 983 Incnediary
3 23 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany 983 Incendiary
4 27 Mar 44 Merignac, France 047 Incendiary
5 01 Apr 44 Ludwidshafen, Germany 256 Incendiary & Demolition
6 11 Apr 44 Rostock, Germany 256 Demolition
7 12 Apr 44 Leipzig, Germany 3938 Demolition
8 13 Apr 44 Augsburg, Germany 018 Demolition
9 18 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany 389 Incendiary & Demolition
10. 19 Apr 44 Lippstadt 256 Demolition
11 22 Apr 44 Hamm, Germany 767 Demolition (Sgt Tekel shot down enemy fighter)
12 24 Apr 44 Freidrichshafen, Germany 256 Demolition
12b 25 Apr 44 Dijon, France 983 Demolition
14 29 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany 256 Incendiary
15 01 May 44 Saarquemines, France 412 Demolition
16 07 May 44 Berlin, Germany 412 Demolition
17 08 May 44 Berlin, Germany 007 Incendiary (Sgt Tekel shot down enemy fighter)
18 09 May 44 Paris, France AF Laon Atries 256 Demolition
19 13 May 44 Osnabruck, Germany 256 Demolition
20 19 May 44 Berlin, Germany 126 Demolition
21 27 May 44 Strasbourg, Germany 256 Demolition
22 28 May 44 Magdeburg, Germany 256 Demolition
23 30 May 44 Troyes, France 256 Demolition
24 05 Jun 44 Boulogne, France 416 Demolition
25 06 Jun 44 French Coast (Falasie) 416 Demolition (D-day)
26 08 Jun 44 Tours, France 416 Demolition
27 11 Jun 44 Berck sur Mer 859 Demolition
28 14 Jun 44 Le Culet 859 Demolition
29 04 Jul 44 Gien, France 393 Demolition
30 06 Jul 44 Secret (Fleury-Crepeoli) No-Ball 393 Demolition
31 07 Jul 44 Bohlem, Germany 977 Demolition
32 08 Jul 44 Calais, France area 977 Demolition
33 11 Jul 44 Munich 393 Incendiary
34 12 Jul 44 Munich 977 Incendiary
Target names supplied by G. W. Rake and may ,in some cases, differ from those listed in 8th Air Force records…pw
Updated by Mfaley from LT F. L. CATE Questionaire (1/9/2001)
MISSIONS OF 2nd Lt Douglas Drysdale w/Rake Crew
# Date Target Aircraft # Bomb Load
1 16 Mar 44 Augsburg, Germany 256
2 22 Mar 44 Berlin, Germany 983 Incnediary
3 23 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany 983 Incendiary
4 27 Mar 44 Merignac, France 047 Incendiary
5 01 Apr 44 Ludwidshafen, Germany 256 Incendiary & Demolition
6 04 Apr 44 Rostock, Germany 256 Demolition
7 12 Apr 44 Leipzig, Germany 3938 Demolition
8 13 Apr 44 Augsburg, Germany 018 Demolition
9 18 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany 389 Incendiary & Demolition
10 19 Apr 44 Lippstadt 256 Demolition
11 22 Apr 44 Hamm, Germany 767 Demolition
12 24 Apr 44 Freidrichshafen, Germany 256 Demolition
13 25 Apr 44 Dijon, France 983 Demolition
14 29 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany 256 Incendiary
15 01 May 44 Saarquemines, France 412 Demolition
16 07 May 44 Berlin, Germany 412 Demolition
17 08 May 44 Berlin, Germany 007 Incendiary
18.09 May 44 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 LAON/COUVRON; ANTHIES
19.13 May 44 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 OSNABRUCK
20.19 May 44 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 97126 BERLIN
21. 5/30/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 107233 TROYES (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)
22. 5/31/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31708 OSNABRUCK
23. 6/15/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER
24. 6/19/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)
25 6/21/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 ARAD (RUHLAND) BEGINNING OF RUSSIAN SHUTTLE MISSION
26. 7/3/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)
27. 7/5/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY)
28. 7/21/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG REGENSBURG (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)
29. 7/24/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT) (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)
30. 7/25/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG ST LO (GND SUPPORT) (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)
31. 7/28/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT P 37936 MERSEBURG
Target names supplied by G. W. Rake and may ,in some cases, differ from those listed in 8th Air Force records…pw
Updated by Mfaley from LT F. L. CATE Questionaire (1/9/2001)
Memo 2:
Leo A. Miller 351st Squadron Dec. 29, 2015
Assigned as Radio Operator Gunner on the Glenn Rake crew, Leo Miller joined the 100th BG on March 6, 1944, a day when the group lost 15 bombers and their crews. In spite of this somber date in group history, Leo’s crew went on to complete 35 combat missions, finishing up on the July 13 mission to bomb the jet engine factories in Munich.
Photos

Glenn W. Rake crew
Glenn W. Rake crew. Standing from left; Robert L. Mishler, Edward C. Rogers, Francis L. Cate and Robert J. Bourquin, Kneeling; Glen W. Rake, Earl E. Evans, Douglas R. Drysdale, Louis Tekel David M. Pflaum and Leo A. Miller. (Note - This is a composite photo. Picture was not original posed with "KING BEE" ) Detailed Information (100th Photo Archives)
Crew List
1st Crew List
Use your thumb to scroll through the results box below.
| Rank | Name | Pos | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lt | RAKE, Glenn W. | P | CPT |
| Lt | DRYSDALE, Douglas R. | CP | CPT |
| Lt | MISHLER, Robert L. | NAV | CPT |
| LT | CATE, Francis L. | BOM | CPT |
| S/Sgt | ROGERS, Edward C. | TTE | CPT |
| S/Sgt | MILLER, Leo A. | ROG | CPT |
| Sgt | TEKEL, Louis | BTG | CPT |
| S/Sgt | BOURQUIN, Robert J. | WG | CPT |
| SGT | PFLAUM, David M. | WG | CPT |
| S/Sgt | EVANS, Earl E. | TG | CPT |



