Date of birth:

February 3rd, 1924

Date of death:

August 7th, 1944 (Mayenne/Mayenne, France)

Service number:

14 188 493

Nationality:

American (1776 - present, Republic)

William Robert Millen was the son of Robert Millen and Zettie Millen. He entered military service on December 12th, 1942 and was trained at Fort Bragg.
April 2nd, 1943, he went overseas, arriving in Oran April 13th . He took part in Operation Overlord on June 6th, 1944. He was killed in action on 7 August 1944 during a heavy enemy artillery barrage on the positions of the 16th Infantry on the southern flank of the Falaise Gap in Northern France. "The enemy fought desperately to hold the encircling forces and retain an escape route over which to save as many as possible of the army trapped by the rapidly advancing Americans in the Falaise Pocket. In support of this holding action, the enemy subjected the positions of the 16th Infantry to a fierce artillery barrage" and, in this action, my uncle was instantly killed by the explosion of an enemy artillery shell (in the vicinity of Mayenne France).

Initially he was buried at Marigny, France but his remains were reburied on December 28th, 1948 in the Mountain Crest Cemetery at Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

Prior to his demise, he was also authorized to wear the Distinguished Unit Badge.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

Medical Detachment, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", US Army

Awarded on:

July 14th, 1944

Awarded for:

Operation Overlord

Citation:
"For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, 6 June 1944. When fire from concealed enemy weapons wounded two of his comrades, Private Millen, unmindful of his own danger, calmly and efficiently treated and removed the helpless victims from the vulnerable road. His bravery under fire exemplifies the finest traditions of the Army Medical Department."

HQ, 1st Infantry Division, G.O. No. 37 (July 14th, 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Awarded on:

September 28th, 1945

Awarded for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy in ********* 7 August 1944.

Awarded posthumously.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded posthumously.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Received with Bronze campaign star for "RHINELAND".

• Photo 1: Mike Hardin
• - Home of Heroes
  - Kings Mountain Herald
  - Millen, William Robert, Jr.