Donald William Miller
Donald William Miller
Years of Service:
12
Highest Rank:
O-3
Medals & Awards:
Career Highlights:
CAPTAIN DONALD WILLIAM MILLER
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Originally from Hamburg, New York, Donald William "D.W." Miller received a congressional appointment from New York to enter the United States Air Force Academy as a member of the historic pioneer Class of 1959. Assigned to Cadet Squadron 10 ("Hellcats"), Donald earned a reputation among his classmates as a hard worker with an outgoing personality and a sharp sense of humor. He was active in student life as a member of the Entertainment Committee and played on both the football and basketball teams. An avid outdoorsman and lifelong athlete, Donald spent his free time taking full advantage of the Rocky Mountain landscape through mountain climbing and skiing.
Following his graduation and commissioning in June 1959, Donald entered Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, where he earned his pilot wings in 1960. Upon completing pilot training, he was assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, serving as a pilot on the Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter from 1960 to 1964. During this assignment, he completed Squadron Officer School (SOS) in 1962.
In 1964, Donald transitioned to Strategic Air Command (SAC) flying heavy bombers. He served as a B-52 Stratofortress pilot assigned to the 70th Bombardment Wing and the 6th Bombardment Squadron at Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base, Oklahoma, flying key strategic nuclear deterrence and readiness missions through 1967.
After completing his active military service at the rank of Captain, Donald embarked on a distinguished 37-year civilian aviation career. Joining Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 1967, he flew commercial airliners out of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York as a commercial pilot and Airline Captain until his retirement in 2004. Throughout his career, Donald remained dedicated to his passion for aviation, athletic pursuits, and the outdoors.
EDUCATION
B.S., United States Air Force Academy (1959)
Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laredo AFB, TX (1959–1960)
Squadron Officer School (SOS), Maxwell AFB, AL (1962)
SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS
1959–1960: Student Pilot, Laredo AFB, TX
1960–1964: KC-97 Pilot, Dover AFB, DE
1964–1967: B-52 Pilot, 70th Bomb Wing / 6th Bomb Squadron, Clinton-Sherman AFB, OK
1967–2004: Commercial Airline Pilot / Captain, TWA (JFK Airport, NY)
AIRCRAFT FLOWN
T-33, T-37, T-38, KC-97 Stratofreighter, B-52 Stratofortress, Commercial Passenger Airliners
