“Top” Ten Music Aviation Tragedies: Glenn Miller (#9)

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Before I head out to the beautiful eastern Texas countryside I’ll present another one of those terrible events that robbed us of great music. This one is unique on the list in a number of ways, and one of the more well-known incidents. Here’s today’s performer. #9: Glenn Miller When your name makes it into a rock song (“that’s the way it began, we were hand in hand, Glenn Miller’s band was better than before” in the Little River Band’s song “Reminiscing”) you know you’ve got a big name. Glenn Miller was a certified superstar. He’s also the second war-zone death (behind Philippa Duke Schuyler, who died in Vietnam) on the list. That’s not the only thing that makes this unique. We’re going on some assumptions here (although plenty to be certain of in these assumptions). First, the date of death isn’t exactly known. It’s presumed to be December 15, 1944, when Glenn Miller’s plane didn’t make it back to a military base. Second, the location of the crash has never been found. It was presumed to be over the English Channel. Glenn Miller died a war hero. He was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star. But the “funny” thing is, he didn’t even have to be there. At 38, he was “too old” to be drafted. Additionally, with his bad eyesight, he couldn’t have been eligible for the Army Air Corps (now known as the Air Force). But he volunteered anyway. Before the Second World War Miller was one of the most popular “big band” leaders in the world, not just America. Once the war broke out Miller felt an obligation to take some “home” to the troops, so he volunteered and established what was the beginning of military bands. The music is legendary. The heroism is also legendary. Salute, Major Miller. Glenn Miller Born Alton Glen Miller March 1, 1904 - December 15, 1944 (presumed date of death) (age 40) Presumed place of crash: the English Channel Glenn Miller’s theme song, “Tuxedo Junction”: