Reginald R. Miner was born on October 29, 1920, in Hammondsport, Steuben County, New York. He was the son of Arthur George Miner and Doris Ray Miner. He was married to Martha Elizabeth Perry Miner. He attended elementary school in Hammondsport and later completed his secondary education at Teaneck High School, graduating in 1938. He then enrolled at Alfred University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering in 1942. In the summer of 1941, he learned to fly in Hornell, New York, where he earned his private pilot’s license in anticipation of entering military service. In February 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and completed both basic and advanced training at several bases across the United States, including Georgia, Tennessee, and Wyoming. He later finished advanced training on the B-24 Liberator bomber in Casper, Wyoming, where he assembled his crew before receiving orders for overseas duty. He served in the 702nd Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot of B-24 #42-50961 during World War II.

On September 27, 1944, B-24 Liberator #42-50961 was lost during the catastrophic Kassel mission over Germany. The aircraft departed RAF Tibenham as part of the 445th’s formation assigned to bomb the Henschel armored vehicle and industrial works at Kassel. During the approach to the target, navigational problems caused the 445th Bomb Group to drift away from the main bomber stream and lose the protection of its long-range fighter escort. After completing the bombing run and turning for home, the isolated bombers were intercepted by large formations of German fighters, including Fw 190s and Bf 109s. Repeated, close-range attacks devastated the formation over central Germany, particularly around the Werra Valley region. B-24 #42-50961 was among the Liberators destroyed in the intense aerial battle and crashed in Germany. Ten of the 12 crew members survived by parachuting near Bad Hersfeld, Germany.

1Lt Miner successfully bailed out and was captured by German forces, becoming a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft I on the Baltic Sea until the camp was liberated by Soviet forces in May 1945. He was discharged from the Air Force in August 1945 with approximately 750 flight hours and the rank of Captain. After the war, Miner returned to New Jersey, where he began working as a ceramic engineer for the Carborundum Company in 1946. He later pursued further education and earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics and Applied Statistics from Rutgers University in 1955. In 1966, he was transferred to Niagara Falls, and during his career, he traveled widely to different countries and retired in 1982. Beyond his professional career, he was active in community and church life, including membership in the American Ceramic Society and the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, where he served as a Deacon, Usher, and Clerk of the Session. Together with his wife, he volunteered at the Bath VA, and he also contributed his time at the Branchport Library and served on the Pulteney Town Planning Board. He died on March 30, 2012, and is now buried in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammondsport, Steuben County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.rafb24.com