Decorated World War II Pilot Pens Emotional Letters to Family in Liberty Letters
Pilot gives raw account of daring missions, heartbreaking loss during service in European theater
FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Letters: The World War II Story of Ellison Miles gives the original account of a young pilot's WWII experience through letters he wrote to his family during his 25 missions over Europe. From top-secret assignments to devastating loss, Ellison Miles' detailed missives follow his transformation from small-town boy to national hero.
Ellison Miles was one of three brothers from Liberty, Texas – a place where news didn't have to be reported in the local Vindicator to be the talk of the town. As the middle child, Ellison never anticipated that he would warrant the Liberty town spotlight – much less the nation's. But soon after volunteering for the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942, Ellison became renowned as a lead pilot for some of the most dangerous and important missions of World War II.
The daily letters he wrote to his family talked of the conditions at war, the heartache he felt being away from home, and the pendulum of emotions he experienced serving as Captain to the 14 young men that comprised his crew. After completing 25 missions across Europe, Ellison returned home to his family in Liberty, Texas as a war hero, decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, three Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal, and the Presidential Citation. But he also returned home with an unforeseen extended family: the crew members that had formed an unbreakable brotherhood during their last two years together.
"We are honored to be able to tell the story of our founder's wartime experience through letters his family has kept for more than 70 years," says Grant Coates, President and CEO of The Miles Foundation. "To have this part of his life memorialized is a gift for his family and for all of us at the Foundation. We are thrilled that the book shares the memory of Mr. Miles' life and his exceptional contributions to community and country."
Liberty Letters is a remembrance of Ellison Miles – a single chapter of his larger life story, and a glimpse into the hero that he was to his family, his crew, and to a country at war.
For more information on Liberty Letters: The World War II Story of Ellison Miles, or to buy the book, visit www.milesfdn.org/about/liberty-letters/.
About the Foundation
The Miles Foundation endeavors to honor the legacy of its founder, Ellison Miles, through the support of institutions that offer innovative programs in education, economic opportunity, and leadership development. Mr. Miles demonstrated a passion for these subjects throughout his life, and The Miles Foundation remains focused on ensuring the next generation's success in these areas today. The Miles Foundation seeks to inspire individuals eager to learn, grow, and contribute to the betterment of their communities and country. To learn more, visit www.milesfdn.org.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141111/157888
SOURCE The Miles Foundation
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