Leland Wilbur Miller was born in Galesburg, Kansas, on November 26, 1894. He was graduated from Purdue University and enlisted as a Flying Cadet in the Aviation Reserve on November 14, 1917. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Aviation Reserve on February 8, 1918.
SERVICE
From June 20, 1909, until June 19, 1913, he was an enlisted man in the Nebraska National Guard. He entered the Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and on November 1, 1917, reported to the School of Military Aeronautics at the University of Texas for aviation training. After he completed his basic training, he reported to Rockwell Field, California, in February, 1918, as an Instructor in Map Reading and Aerial Photography. He was assigned to the 9th Aero Squadron at Mather Field, California, in August, 1919.
He went to Langley Field, Virginia, in November, 1920, as an instructor in the Photographic School there and in January, 1922, went to the Panama Canal Zone for duty. He returned in August, 1924, for duty at Maxwell Field, Alabama, with the 4th Photographic Section until November, 1927. He was then assigned to the Office of the Chief of the Air Corps in Washington, D.C.
In August, 1930, he entered the Army Industrial College and was graduated in May, 1931. He attended George Washington University until September, 1931, when he entered the School of Business Administration at Harvard University In May, 1932, he again attended George Washington University and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science and Engineering. In September, 1932, he returned to Harvard and in June, 1933, was awarded the degree of Master of Business Administration.
He was then assigned to Mitchel Field, New York, with additional duty as Procurement Planning Representative of the Air Corps in New York. He later was relieved of his duties at Mitchel Field to devote his entire time to the Procurement position. In August, 1935, he went to Maxwell Field, Alabama, to attend the Air Corps Tactical School, from which he was graduated in May, 1936.
He was assigned then to the Office of the Chief of Air Corps in Washington, D.C., and served there until October, 1941, when he was transferred to Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, as a Budget Officer.
He went overseas in September 1942 and became Chief of Staff, Eighth Air Force, stationed in London, England. He served in this capacity until February 1943 when he returned to the United States and was designated Budget and Fiscal Officer, Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C. He retired on May 31, 1946, in the grade of Brigadier General.
He was rated a Command Pilot and Combat Observer.
PROMOTIONS
Private, Company G, 2nd Infantry, Nebraska National Guard, November 26, 1912, to June 19, 1913; Private First Class, Aviation Section, Signal Enlisted Reserve Corps, November 14, 1917, to February 8, 1918; Second Lieutenant, Aviation Section, Signal Officers’ Reserve Corps, February 8, 1918, to November 6, 1920; Second Lieutenant, Air Service, July 1, 1920; First Lieutenant, July 1, 1920; Captain, February 1, 1931; Major (temporary), April 20, to July 16, 1935; Major (temporary), June 16, 1936; Major, June 12, 1939; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), November 16, 1940; Lieutenant Colonel, A.U.S., April 18, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel, October 15, 1941; Colonel (temporary), January 5, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S., February 1, 1942; Brigadier General, A.U.S., May 24, 1942; retired in the grade of Brigadier General, May 31, 1946.
DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal, World War I Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal.