Henry J. F. Miller

Henry Jervis Friese Miller (September 10, 1890 – January 7, 1949) served as a general in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

While serving in the European theater, Miller made publicly recorded comments about the top secret date of the Allied invasion of Normandy in May 1944. After Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower found out, Miller was demoted to lieutenant colonel and sent back to the United States.

Early life

Miller was born on September 10, 1890, in Alloway Township, New Jersey, to John and Mary Miller. After attending local public schools, he was accepted to the United States Military Academy and graduated with the class of 1915.

Military career After graduation, Miller was assigned as a second lieutenant in the United States Cavalry and served near El Paso, Texas, during the Pancho Villa Expedition of 1916. He was promoted to captain in 1917 and then major in 1918. An Associated Press account gives his comment as "On my honor the invasion will take place before June 15." When news of this security breach reached Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower in May 1944, Miller was demoted to his permanent rank of lieutenant colonel and sent home. As the incident was covered up until following the invasion, Congress would end up confirming a promotion in his permanent rank to colonel in May. The United Press reported on December 3, 1944, that he had taken an advisory job with a war plant.

Death Miller moved to San Antonio, Texas, in the spring of 1948 and lived there until his death on January 7, 1949. He was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, alongside his wife Vera Abigail, who had died on January 11, 1943.

Awards Mexican Service Medal Victory Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal