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<em>Raymond Davis Millener</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>was born at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1908. He was the youngest of three brothers, all of whom were destined to serve their country well during the critical days of World War II. The senior, George A. Millener, preceded his younger brother to the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1924. Seward Millener served in the Army with distinction during the war period. “Bud” Millener was from his earliest days reared with membership in the Corps of Cadets as his first major goal. During his boyhood, “Bud’s” interests and activities fell naturally into that pattern which is indicative of the soldier—he loved sports and the outdoors. He took a very active and successful interest in the Boy Scout activities of his community and, though not large for his age, won his letter in High School football and track.</p>
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“Bud” had not the slightest difficulty in adapting himself to cadet life. He recognized that the system of training and discipline, while rigorous for mind and body, had a worthy and proven objective. As a consequence, he accepted Plebe Year with a never failing sense of good humor and a willingness to play the game that created admiration and respect among his seniors and his classmates alike.</p>
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It was while “Bud” was a plebe in “F” Company, which in those days was composed of “runts”, that the Company upset all precedent by winning the Intramural Football Championship. “Bud’s” performance was a big factor in that victory. Few of the then “F” Company cadets will forget how he ran under, around, and over the opposing flankers. His fighting spirit in this relatively minor intramural victory made a deeper and more lasting impression on his close friends than did his more widely recognized accomplishments in Corps Squad athletics; he was a member of the Academy’s wrestling and soccer teams.</p>
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“Bud’s” achievements as a cadet were not confined to the field of sports. He was sound academically, always standing comfortably in the middle of his class, but his interests were many and he preferred to devote his spare time and energies to other activities rather than concentrate on the improvement of his academic rank. He participated in many cadet endeavors. There is no truer indication of the respect which he won from his classmates than his election to the Cadet Honor Committee, a position which is gained only through the complete confidence of the Corps. He was a Cadet Lieutenant, and later a Cadet Captain, during his First Class year.</p>
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Upon his graduation in 1930, Lt. Millener was stationed at Fort Niagara. New York, with the 28th Infantry. He learned rapidly through the performance of those usual duties which are assigned to a young 2nd Lieutenant serving with troops. In the summer of 1932, he was ordered to Panama where he served until 1935. Part of this tour was spent with the Infantry at Fort Davis, and part as Assistant Provost Marshal of the Atlantic Sector with station at Fort De Lesseps. It was in Panama that Lt. Millener married Linda H. Mercer, a young woman of staunch Army tradition, and niece of the late General Campbell B. Hodges, with whom she was visiting at the time of her marriage. The young couple returned to the United States in June of 1935, Lt. Millener having been ordered to the Infantry School at Fort Benning, from which he graduated in 1936.</p>
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That his record over these initial years as a junior officer was outstanding, is well indicated by his assignment to France for language study prior to a tour as instructor at the Military Academy. Senior officers at both West Point and the War Department considered him the best qualified young officer for this prized assignment. Lt. Millener pursued his studies at the Sorbonne in Paris during the year 1936-1937 and reported to the Military Academy in August to assume his duties as an instructor in the Department of Modern Languages.</p>
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Lt. Millener brought to his classroom those happy qualities which distinguish the leader from the pure teacher. He himself, both as a cadet and as an officer, so revered the Academy and all it stood for, that he was incapable of assuming other than that each student was seriously endeavoring his best to succeed. Cadets are quick to recognize the quality of their instructors and they repaid Lt. Millener’s helpful guidance with deep and genuine respect.</p>
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A daughter, Virginia Hodges Millener, was born at West Point on April 13, 1941, the anniversary ot “Bud’s” birthday.</p>
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In June 1941, Captain Millener left West Point for duty with the Second Infantry Division at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry, during maneuvers in Louisiana, with outstanding success. He was ordered to the Command and General Staff School as a student in February 1942. After graduation in May, he was assigned to the 356th Infantry, then being activated at Camp Carson, Colorado, where he was promoted to Major.</p>
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In December of 1942, Major Millener was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, reporting to the unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served as Assistant Chief of Staff, 0-3, from that time until the latter part of June 1944, and was responsible in great part for the splendid training which eventually made itself apparent in the record of this fighting division. He bore a large share in the planning for the Division’s participation in the Normandy invasion, working ever more tirelessly as D-Day approached. By then a Lt. Colonel, “Bud” was scheduled to go into Normandy by gilder, but at the last minute the available glider lift was reduced to the extent that he was directed to come in with his section by water on D+1. “Bud” appealed from this decision, requesting that he be allowed to parachute, although he had never received any special parachute training. He pled with such urgency that the Division Commander reluctantly approved. Thus, his first jump was into the rugged combat of D-Day in Normandy.</p>
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“Bud’s” plane apparently became lost. He landed miles from the designated drop zone, deep in enemy territory. He formed his little band of parachutists, picked up those of another plane that had likewise jumped in that area, and for the next five days fought his way back to the Division under circumstances which earned him the Distinguished Service Cross.</p>
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Later in talking of this episode to a close friend, “Bud” made an observation which can be long and well considered by any young officer. In substance his remarks were these: “I never before quite realized what it meant to be an officer. As the ugly realities of our situation slowly dawned on our little group, I found the men instinctively turning to me for the answers. It was not a verbal questioning but was evident in their eyes and attitude. There was no one I could turn to for advice. The answers had to be given and had to be the right ones”. Few are privileged to meet this full test of combat leadership in such exemplary fashion as “Bud” did during the days that followed his landing.</p>
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Upon reaching the Division Command Post, he assumed his duties and worked at a tireless pace and under terrific strain during the initial phase of the invasion. He exhausted himself so completely that during the latter part of June he suffered a collapsed lung, which caused his evacuation.</p>
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He rejoined the Division in August as Chief of Staff and at once plunged into the work of preparing for the next operation. His second combat jump was made near Zon, Holland from a plane that had been struck by flak and was burning fiercely. “Bud” was with the Division during the 72 days in which it was in contact with the enemy and under continuous shell fire from the high ground opposite its position in the flat dike country.</p>
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When the Division was relieved and sent to France to prepare for another airborne operation, Colonel Millener again plunged into the exacting task of rebuilding and reequipping the units. As he spoke French fluently, he was called upon at all hours to assist in numerous matters which normally would never have been brought his attention.</p>
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The long strain of more than one year of continuous hard work, little sleep, heavy pressure and combat, finally took its toll. “Bud’s” health broke and he died at Moumelon-le-Grande in France on December 7, 1944. The entire Division was stunned to learn of his death. He had come to be well known, loved and esteemed by officers and men alike. He had earned this status through his feats in Normandy, his combat jumps without prior training, his calmness under fire, and his constant concern for others. The unit, not the individual, was always “Bud’s” primary consideration. He played a great part in the building of a Combat Division that was the first in the history of the United States Army to win a Presidential Citation. He spared himself not at all in order to accomplish what he felt to be required of an officer and a true West Pointer.</p>
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<em>—A Classmate</em></p>