Loring Miller was serving as a Right Waist Gunner on B-17 Serial 42-3455 on the 17 August 1943 mission to Schweinfurt, Germany. Wounded by a shell fragment that punctured his lung from a direct flak hit to the plane, he refused to leave his gun until the pilot ordered first aid administered to him. His gallantry won him the Silver Star. His Silver Star citation reads : "LORING CORWIN MILLER,39840477, Staff Sergeant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For gallantry in action, while serving as right waist gunner of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany, 17 August 1943. Prior to reaching the target, Sergeant Miller was seriously wounded and knocked down when his aircraft sustained a direct flak hit. Though suffering severe pain, he courageously returned to his gun and assisted in fighting off determined attacks by enemy fighters. Refusing help, he remained at his gun until the pilot ordered the radio operator to administer first aid to him. The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Miller on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Home address: Stockton, California."



SS/ PH/ AM w/ Oak Leaf Cluster