Mechanicsburg Alumni Association

Locally, Paul is well-known to almost everyone who has in any way been active in serving our communities. Generally recognized by most as the “unofficial historian” of Upper Allen Township, the
Township Commissions gave him “official” recognition as an “Upper Allen Township Treasure”, with a special proclamation presented to him in February of 2004.

Paul grew up in the house where he currently resides. He attended the Glen Allen one-room school house just opposite his
home. As a young man Paul worked with his father for Henry B. McCormick, driving mule teams on his farm and numerous other duties.

Paul was a 1938 MHS grad and then graduated with a Business Degree in 1940 from Central Pennsylvania Business College in Harrisburg (now Central Pennsylvania Business College in Summerdale). At that point Paul wanted to attend aviation school, but nomoney was available. His love of airplanes and aviation began at age 7 when Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic. He took his first flying lesson at age 21 at the Wilson Airport, on Route 11 near New Kingston. He earned his private pilot’s license in their Civilian Pilot Training Program.

But his life, like many of our Mechanicsburg High School students and graduates, changed drastically with our entry into World War II. He was drafted, took the Air Corps exam and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. He graduated and was commissioned in 1943, served as an instructor and become the pilot of a B-29,
the Queen of the Skies, the largest and greatest aircraft of its day. He flew nuerous combat missions from Saipan to Japan. On
August 14, 1945, the largest mission of the war occurred when 809 B-29s, plus fighter planes, put 900+ aircraft over Japan. This
lead to Japan’s surrender.

After the war, Paul began his distinguished career as a United Airlines pilot. In his civilian job, Paul made national news and
received numerous accolades when he safely landed his DC-6 with 69 passengers aboard, after taking 13 strikes from a flock
of geese at 5,000 fee during a night flight on September 22, 1965. The windshield was broken, the aircraft was damaged,
and visibility was serverely restricted. Paul suffered several cuts, but still made a smooth emergency night landing!

In his retirement, Paul remains extremely active and visible in our community. He is a walking encyclopedia of facts pertaining to the Mechanicsburg area and the Mechanicsburg School District. He has one of the most complete personal collections of photos and clipping of local historical value in our area. He is an avid amateur photographer, an author of his book, “Happy Yellow Breeches” and contributor to the quarterly “Yellow Breeches Gazette”. He continues to share his wealth of local and military knowledge by making himself avaiable to speak at various events and dinners. Paul always takes the time to speak to our current Mechanicsburg students and can be seen at many of their school events – including his favorite, the annual high school musicals. Paul has three children; John Raymond Miller, Susan Elaine Miller
and Paula Miller Logan. He is, indeed, a treasure – a Mechanicsburg Area High School Alumni Association treasure and a welcome addition to our Hall of Fame!

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