WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESSIONAL INITIATIVES
Firstly, here is an update regarding our Glenn Miller Medal of Freedom and military honors initiative. As published in Glenn Miller Declassified: “Major Alton Glenn Miller, Air Corps, Army of the United States, confidently boarded the wrong aircraft on the wrong day to do his job as he saw it and paid for the decision with his life. He deserves to rest in peace with honor, and his true story should be understood beyond doubt for all time. He justly earned the gratitude from the United States and the United Kingdom awarded to his SHAEF-AEFP colleagues. It is appropriate for the United States to award him the Legion of Merit, the presidential Medal of Freedom, a posthumous promotion to the rank of brigadier general, U. S. Air Force, and for the United Kingdom to award him the Order of the British Empire. His legacy will then be resolved.”
HONORING GLENN MILLER
Therefore, during the past year or more, with the help of key associates, I have pursued securing these honors for Glenn Miller. But this important initiative has been encumbered by COVID, recent social unrest and the partisan atmosphere in Washington. Likewise, I wish to now reach out and ask everyone who care about Glenn Miller to become involved and help us. Meanwhile, there are currently two avenues of conversation. The Medal of Freedom is awarded by the president and this discussion is with the White House. The military awards discussion is with the House of Representatives and its Armed Services Committee. Along the way, we have verified that Glenn Miller also qualifies for the Purple Heart. Please allow me to share my correspondence with the President of the United States, copied to key Senators, including Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, which reads in part:
GREATEST GENERATION SOUNDTRACK
“Alton Glenn Miller was America’s #1 bandleader and a genuine patriot. He sacrificed his life in service to the United States as a Major in the Army Air Forces during World War II. His music remains as popular as ever and is accurately described as the ‘soundtrack of the greatest generation.’ My purpose in getting in touch is to ask you to honor Glenn Miller with the Medal of Freedom. He also qualifies for the Legion of Merit and Purple Heart, with both awards long overdue. Our Air Force might also consider a posthumous promotion in rank. Like you, Glenn Miller was an astute and successful businessman who had great entertainment, organizational and communications skills … he was also a patriot who deeply loved his country … (and) has long deserved to be recognized by our nation with the Medal of Freedom.”
NATIONAL TREASURE
Furthermore, “in pursuit of his military duties, Major Glenn Miller disappeared on a flight from England to France on December 15, 1944 and won the Bronze Star for his service. His legendary Army Air Forces Band brought much needed entertainment via broadcasts and personal appearances to American and allied airmen and soldiers. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. H. H. Arnold and Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle all praised Major Miller and what he meant to Americans in uniform. Glenn Miller is a national treasure of unqualified merit. On behalf of all Americans who respect the sacrifice of the sixteen million Americans who wore the uniform during World War II, thank you.”
BIPARTISAN EFFORT
Consequently, I can report that the White House has sent a positive reply indicating interest in our proposal. Meanwhile, my colleague and good friend Jarod Harrah of the Tom Daugherty Band has worked through the receptive and supportive office of Rep. Mike Turner of Dayton, Ohio, home of the National Museum of the U. S. Air Force Museum, to put the Glenn Miller initiative before the House Armed Services Committee. Meanwhile, I contacted the office of the House Speaker, since any house initiative would require her approval. I regret to share that her staff does not understand who Glenn Miller was or why he matters, and they are busy with other matters. But I will keep trying to help them understand. However, House minority members do understand, and they are fully on board with what should be an apolitical and bipartisan effort. Veterans organizations also understand.
SUPPORT GLENN MILLER
In conclusion, as we continue to work with the various offices toward the awards, here is what everyone can do to help. Please take a moment to write to your representatives in the senate and house of both parties, to ask for the Glenn Miller military honors. Likewise, it is important to note that Col. Ed Kirby, Col. John Hayes and Lt. Col. David Niven (Royal Army), Miller’s SHAEF-AEFP colleagues, all received the Legion of Merit and the OBE. Therefore, we will also mount an OBE initiative with the support of our friends in the UK. Additionally, you can also help with the Glenn Miller Medal of Freedom by writing the White House, although we are much further along the path to success there, thanks especially to Glenn Mittler, Dr. James D’Angelo of Sarasota, Florida, the International Midway Foundation and Sen. Rick Scott.
“To be a man is, precisely, to be responsible.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery
You are absolutely right . To use a British phrase these tributes ” would be no skin off anybody’s nose. All good luck from Trevor Fleisig South East England
Absolutely appropriate. Politically expedient. A man who made a significant contribution to the history of the United States, to its social well-being, and who seven decades later remains an integral part of the fabric of American culture.