Our Stories
My Dear Dad & Uncles By Tony Millan U.S. Army Veteran
My mom Dolores did her part during the war. She went to work at Chula Vista Rohr Aircraft and was one of the Rosie the Riveters, working on different parts of planes.
My father, Antonio Blanco Millan, enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 27. He said he had to watch over his younger brothers, Tino and Joe, who were both drafted during World War II. All three made it home although only the younger brothers saw each other once before the invasion of Okinawa. The Neighborhood House in Logan Heights is where my dad got his pre-physical on May 21, 1943. And one year later, my father landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. My father was on the second wave at Omaha Beach. Some of the landing barges were stopping too far from the beach, and my father didn’t know how to swim. He was afraid he might sink because of the heavy gear they carried. The barge, however, got close enough. They were running over bodies but he survived the landing. He also served in Ireland, England and France. He was discharged in December of 1945. My Uncle Joe was wounded in Okinawa and received the PurpleHeart and the Bronze Star. Uncle Tino also earned a Bronze Starfor bravery.
My mother kept all my father’s war letters, which my younger sister and I also cherished.
On November 8, 1944, my dad wrote to me—a nice card just before Christmas. He said that although he was far away he always thought of me and everyone at home. He closed by saying, “I hope you have a Merry Xmas, your dad Tony.”
I also followed my dad’s footsteps and served my country in the U.S. Army in 1957.
Dolores Millan Chua Vista Rohr Aircraft
Christmas Postcard from France sent by Tony’s father
Pre-Physical Exam Registration for Antonio Blanco Millan
Antonio Blanco Millan U.S. Army WWII Veteran
(Photos courtesy of Tony Millan)
Uncle Tino Millan U.S. Army WWII Veteran
Uncle Joe Millan U.S. Army WWII Veteran
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