Milton Clement Ervin was born on August 22, 1911, in Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Mississippi. He was the son of William Weatherford "Willie" Ervin and Irene Clement Ervin. He served in the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, as a Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17 #43-38664 during World War II.

On April 11, 1945, during a mission over Germany, the aircraft experienced mechanical failures in engines #3 and #4. These issues forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing near Mühldorf, Germany. The crash resulted in the deaths of three crew members, while the remaining seven crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

Sgt Ervin was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France. Milton C. Ervin's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 7, in the bottom right wing (section D).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org