Alek Miller

Submitted by: Marion Zaborney

Alek Miller was born around 1892. Alek Miller served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

 

His name was Alek Miller. According to the NJ State Archives descriptive card, Alek enlisted October 20, 1917. At that time he was 25 years old. He was from (Poland) Russia. His entry rank was a Private in the U.S. Army, Division: 148th Aero Squadron.

His group arrived in France February 16, 1918. Alek died March 22, 1918, killed in action. Not even a month after arriving in France.

A death certificate was sent to my husband's grandmother and the French Government sent her money every month (I don't know how long that went on). Now he wasn't a member of the family, but may have been boarding with my husband's grandparents.

His final resting place is in the Somme American Cemetery and Memorial. My daughter had planned her vacation (August 2014) to be in Paris, but allowed time to visit the Somme American Cemetery. She hired a car and driver to drive her for a little over 2 hours to the cemetery. The director of the cemetery met her and took her to Alek's grave, where she laid the flowers she had brought with her. He then took her on a tour of the cemetery.

I have pictures of the cross with his name on it, as well as one with my daughter standing next to it. She was impressed with how well maintained the cemetery was kept.