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Miller, Calvin, E (601st)

Calvin-E.-Miller-1Calvin E. Miller

Biography:  Calvin Eugene Miller was born on August 7, 1917, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  He was the son of Russel E. Miller and Stella Walton Miller and left school his junior year to help support his family.  He found work at the Boardwalk National Bank, in Atlantic City. 

Service Time:  Calvin enlisted on January 2, 1941, at Camden, NJ, and was assigned to Company C of the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion.  The 601st served throughout Europe and was initially committed in North Africa, as part of Operation Torch. They saw action at the Kasserine Pass in February 1943, and then at El Guettar in March.  They converted from the M3 to the M10 tank destroyer, before leaving Africa, and then took part in the invasion of Italy at Salerno.  They continued the assault at Anzio in January 1944, and entered Rome in June.  With the change to the M10, Calvin took the position of gunner in the 5 man crew.

The 601st landed in Southern France, in August, before moving to the German border near the Vosges Region.  They participated in the reduction of the Colmar Pocket and then converted to M36’s.  Before crossing the Rhine River, they battled along the Siegfried Line and later helped capture Nürnberg in April of 1945.  The unit ended their overseas service by occupying Berchtesgaden, which was Hitler’s retreat, in the Bavarian Mountains.

Calvin-E.Miller-2

 

The 601st received credit for 9 campaigns including, Algeria/French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples/Foggia, Rome Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe.  Calvin left the service on June 27, 1945, at Fort Dix, NJ.  He reached the rank of Corporal.

Honorable Discharge

Calvin returned to the U.S. and married the sister of John H. Springer, who had served with him in the 601st.  John had been wounded and was recuperating at England General Hospital, when Calvin came to visit him.  Calvin met John’s sister, Jeannette Catherine Springer, at the hospital.  Jeannette was the daughter of Semon H. and Emma Rhodes Springer. Calvin returned to his job at the bank and became supervisor of the bookkeepers and cashiers.

The couple had three children, Suzanne born in 1948, Carol in 1950, and Calvin in 1956. In addition to his family, Calvin enjoyed painting and was a member of the Circus Fans Association and made his own trains from kits and a big top circus.  He was also a bass singer and member of the Barbershoppers and a quartet called the Seatones.

Calvin-E.Miller-and-wife

 

The family lived in the Venice Park neighborhood of Atlantic City, until 1976, when they moved to Mays Landing, NJ.  Calvin passed away on May 27, 1983, and was buried at the Atlantic City Cemetery in Pleasantville, NJ.

I want to thank Calvin’s son, Calvin, for the information and photos in this tribute.