Page 11 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

Early Beginnings
The French Connection to Early American Aviation By Bruce Huffman
We featured the story of Captain James Ely Miller in the Summer 2018 issue of the DFC Society News Magazine. He established a U.S. Army aviation training center in France in 1917 and was the only recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross from World War I. Here is an interesting follow-up from DFC Society Chairman Bruce Huffman. -Ed.
I would like to thank Mike Gagne for his contribution to the legacy of Capt. James Ely Miller, the only Distinguished Flying Cross recipient from World War One, with the historical book, Les Américains à Issoudun. It is written about the 3rd Aerial Instructional Center (3rd AIC) near Chateauroux, France which Capt. Miller established and commanded in 1917, before moving to the 95th Aero Squadron where he would die engaging in his first aerial combat.
Holding the book is Byron Derringer, Miller’s great grandson, who is responsible for the historical research leading to Miller’s DFC award. Byron has done yeoman service for the DFC Society for the construction of the new web site.
Mike located the book in France, purchased the copy, and ensured that it found its way to Byron.
Mike Gagne himself is an Air Force Vietnam veteran, call sign Rustic Kilo, who saw distinguished service as an OV-10A Rustic FAC observer/interpreter in the highly classified air war over Cambodia.
Although not a DFC recipient himself, Mike comes from a family that has rendered noble service to both the United States and to France. His father stepped ashore on June 9th in Normandy and fought with the 79th ID through the liberation of Cherbourg, Le Mans, the reduction of the Ruhr pocket and finished his war in Dortmund. His mother, a virtuoso violinist, escaped Nazi roundups in Paris and went on to assist the author Alfred Camus in the publication of the underground newspaper “Combat” as part of the French resistance.
We repeat the story of Captain James Ely Miller on the following two pages. -Ed.
Byron Derringer holds the book “Les Américans à Issoudun” written about his great-grandfather’s command during WWI. Mike Gagne happened on the book while in France and purchased it for Byron.
SUMMER 2020 / DFCS News Magazine / 11