Pfc. James Paul Miller was born in Chicago on September 29, 1922, to William P. Miller and Mary Kuzma-Miller. His family resided at 7910 West Birchdale Avenue, Elmwood Park, Illinois. He graduated from John Mills School in Elmwood Park. Since the suburb was not districted for high school, he could select a high in Chicago or another nearby suburb. He chose to attend Proviso Township High School. While he was in high school, he left school for one year and then returned and graduated in 1941. After high school, he worked at Miller’s garage in Elmwood Park. It is not known if the garage was owned by his family.
On January 29, 1942, he registered with Selective Service and named his uncle, Johnny Kuzma, as his contact person. He also stated his address was 2900 North 77th Court, Elmwood Park. Knowing he would be drafted into the army, he enlisted on September 14, 1942, in Chicago. After he enlisted, nothing is known about his training except that he was assigned to the Mess Company, WSCRTC. Records show he was killed in a training accident at Camp Kohler, Sacramento, California, on May 21, 1943. His parents received a telegram about his death.
His casket was returned to the Daniel J. Murphy Funeral Home in Elmwood Park on May 25th and a funeral was held on May 26th. Pfc. James P. Miller was buried, on May 26, 1943, in the Bohemian National Cemetery, Chicago, IllinoisÂ
