Smyrna times., 1955-07-28
USS MILLER TO
VISIT STATE
Navy Destroyer TO Be at Will
mingtOn Marine Terminal
Over Weekend
OPEN TO PUBLIC

Delawareans are invited to visit
the Wilmington Marine Terminal
on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
to inspect the USS Miller, a U. S.
Navy destroyer on active duty
which will be tied up there and
open to public inspection.
The Miller is best known for
her action in the Pacific during
World War II. She was in the
outer ring of protective steel from
January, 1914 to June, 1915, and
took part in the crucial battle of
the Philippine Sea and Leyte
Gulf. The ship received the Navy
Unit Citation for assisting the
USS Franklin on March 10, 1945,
to fight fires and salvage that
carrier after it had been hit by
Japanese kamakizi planes.
According to 1t. Commander
Leslie Jones, commanding officer
of the Delaware U. S. Navy Re-
serve Training Center, every eff
fort will DE made to give a hearty
Delaware welcome to the ships
16 officers and crew of 309 dur
ing her weekend in the state.
The Miller is expected to dock
at 1000 am. Friday morning, and
at 11:30 am. Pennsylvania dele
cation including Miss Delaware
County and her court of beauties
will be piped aboard. A repre-
sentative of Governor ]. Caleb
Boggs will also attend this func-
tion and luncheon will be served
aboard ship. An inspection of the
ship will follow.
Mayor August F. Waltz, Will
mington, and Mayor Wallace
johnson of Newark, will be re-
ceiyed at 200 pm. to bring greet
ings from their respective cities.
The entire party will then attend
Otficer's Call at the New Castle
Air Base officers club.
At 900 pm, Friday night,
there will be a dance at the air
base for enlisted personnel, with
so young ladies from the Phila-
delphia USO expected to join the
Delaware County beauty delega-
ton to help entertain the men.
Wilmington city officials are
planning entertainment for the
visitors, and veterans organiza-
tions may join in that program
over the weekend, Mr.. Jones said.
On Saturday, Miss Joanne Sakow-
ski, Miss Delaware of 1855, is ex-
pected to visit the ship.
The Wilmington Council of
Churches is arranging special re-
ligious services aboard the Miller,
tentatively set for 11:0O am,
Sunday, it was announced. Off
GERS of the Miller are expected to
fbe entertained sometime over the
weekend by members of the Del
aware Naval officers Reserve AS
sociation.
According to Navy officials, this
S76-foot-long veteran of Pacific
fighting was named in honor of
Acting Masters Mate James Mill
er, who served as quartermaster
aboard the Marblehead in an en-
gagement with Confederate bat
teries on Stono River, Christmas
Day, 1868. He was noted for out
standing bravery and GOODNESS in
casting lead and giving continu-
ous soundings while exposed to
dangerous enemy fire. He retired
reluctantly only when ordered to
do so. Miller received the medal
of honor for his bravery. He was
born in 1885 in Denmark.
The ship earned ten battle stars
on the Asiatic-Pacific area Service
Medal for participating in a long
list of sea battles.
Commander Jones extends a
special invitation to the young
men of Delaware interested in the
Naval service to inspect the Mill
er and learn about life at sea from
experienced hands.