World War I aviator posthumously receives the Distinguished Flying Cross

U.S. Army Capt. James Ely Miller, the first American aviator killed in combat during World War I, posthumously received the Distinguished Flying Cross on June 14 at the U.S. Army Military District of Washington’s Twilight Tattoo ceremony, in celebration of the Total Army Force’s 242nd birthday.

Army Acting Sec. Robert Speer, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Army Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey hosted the patriotic performance, which captured 242 years of soldiers' stories spanning across generations of men and women who have answered the call to uphold America's freedom and democracy. Approximately 1,500 people attended the event, held inside Conmy Hall located on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (Fort Myer) in Arlington, Va.

“We have a privilege today to be able to recognize not only the heraldry of our total 242 years, but also that point and time where we recognize, late, a Distinguished Flying Cross for an American hero,” Speer said before the award presentation. “We're very proud today to have some of the descendants here from James Miller's family here and able to represent him and a lineage of what he achieved on those battlefields as the first individual who gave his life in that war in aviation.”

Speer presented a framed plaque to Byron Derringer, the great grandson of Miller, in recognition of Miller’s pivotal role in the early formation and build-up of the American aerial presence during World War I in France.

Miller, who American Legion Post 833 in Smithtown, N.Y., is named in honor of, was instrumental in organizing the first aero company under the New York National Guard in 1915. He supervised the build-up of the U.S. Army 3rd Aviation Instruction Center at Issoudon, France, which was a new flight training center for American aviation cadets. He then assumed command of the 95th Pursuit Squadron, the first American trained fighter pilots sent to the frontlines.

“Even though I didn't serve in the military, I’ve always had a sense of honor from the standpoint that it’s American history,” Derringer said. “I’m just proud of the country we live in and the freedom we have. Knowing he was an intricate part in providing that freedom, is just amazing.”

On March 9, 1918, Miller, along with Maj. M.F. Harmon and Maj. Davenport Johnson, started the first U.S. Army Air Services Combat Patrol. Shortly after taking off, Harmon’s aircraft experienced motor trouble which prevented him from continuing on the patrol. “I have news clippings from that era, of all the different accounts of him going down,” Derringer said. “I have the first account of (Major Davenport) providing a report after he came back, and I also have a letter to his son shortly after that states how helpless he felt because his gun was jammed.”

Miller and Johnson continued their aerial patrol as they crossed enemy territory, engaging two German fighter planes over Barrieux, France. During the first encounter, Miller and his wingman forced the enemy to retreat, but were attacked by another group of German biplanes.

Johnson withdrew from the dogfight due to engine problems and jammed machine guns, leaving Miller to face the enemy alone. Miller continued to attack the two German biplanes, fearlessly exposing himself to the enemy as he closely followed and performed matching tailspins to keep the Germans from evading him.

However, the Germans were able to turn the tables on him. Miller was then forced to perform the same evasive maneuvers, rolling his plane into four tailspins with two or three turns to get away from the enemy.

Miller was the first U.S. airman to be killed in combat, having been shot down behind German lines. His remains are buried at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in Fère-en-Terdenois, France.

“To my amazement, the Library of Congress and other institutions, they don’t have anything on him,” Derringer said. “I think all the credit is due to his daughter (my grandmother, Gladys Morgan Caroline Miller Frederick) because she kept meticulous notes and kept the memorabilia. I simply just put it together and came to a point where I thought people needed to hear this compelling story.”

On July 20, 1921, the U.S. Army airfield at Dorp, Staten Island, N.Y., was renamed Miller Field in his honor. Miller’s mother, Mary Miller, presented a bronze tablet to the Army on November 11, 1924, which was Armistice Day. The airfield has since become part of the National Gateway Recreation Area where the tablet is still on display in the park at the administration building.

“It’s been simply amazing on various levels,” said Derringer, who actually received the Distinguished Flying Cross award from the Army Chief of Staff’s office on June 8. “All of my family was just ecstatic, even the ones who weren’t able to attend (the Twilight Tattoo ceremony). We’re just really excited that this came to fruition. We didn’t expect it. I really don’t know what to say—it’s just such an honor.”

Speer said Miller’s heroic actions not only align with the highest traditions of the military service, but also reflect great credit upon himself, the U.S. Army Air Services and the American Expeditionary Forces.

For Derringer, a resident of Bethesda, Md., he is proud of his great grandfather and the sacrifice he made to protect and defend. He said Miller is the first World War I aviator to posthumously receive the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart medal for his heroism.

“If he were alive today, he would've said he was just doing his job," Derringer said. "He received a recognition that he should probably have had a long time ago. But the most important thing is to recognize all the people that actually made this happen. It was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, special honor and event that definitely none of us will forget.”

Derringer said the Twilight Tattoo ceremony was more than just an event to celebrate the Army’s birthday. Rather, it highlighted an important era wherein brave servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice 100 years ago.

“It was an honor to be included in the celebration with the secretary of the Army, and the Chief of Staff, for not only the Army’s birthday, but also the (World War I) centennial. I give them, and the other major players who were there, the utmost respect,” Derringer said. “Our entire family is just really thankful for what the military does every day. It’s simply amazing.”