Herbert Miles

Herbert Lawrence Miles passed away on Sunday, April 21st, at the Southgate Health Care Center in Carney's Point, New Jersey. He was 91 years old. Herb was born on May 11th, 1921, to William James and Brownie Marie Miles in Carney's Point. He attended Penns Grove High School and was a stand out athlete in football, track, and wrestling. Herb joined the U.S. Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor and spent 30 years on active duty retiring in 1976 at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station, Pennsylvania. Chief Petty Officer Miles was a veteran of three wars to include, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. An aircraft engine mechanic by military occupational specialty, Chief Miles served in various anti-submarine squadrons during WWII and Korea, as well as, an aircraft flight engineer in P-2 Neptunes flying out of Whidbey Island, Washington and Adak, Alaska. During the late 1950's until the end of the Vietnam War he made five deployments, serving as Aircraft Maintenance Chief in various aircraft fighter and attack squadrons on the aircraft carriers USS's Midway (CV-41), Bonhomme Richard (CV-31), and Kitty Hawk (CV-63), as well as, HAL-3, a helicopter gunships squadron, in country, at Binh Thuy, Republic of Vietnam. During Vietnam, Chief Miles was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V for valor. His final tour of duty was as a maintenance liaison to various civilian aircraft contractors at NAS Willow Grove. Chief Miles always felt that his proudest military achievement was, that, in his entire Naval Aviation Maintenance career, his squadrons never lost an aircraft due to a mechanical failure. A true member of this country's "Greatest Generation," Chief Petty Officer Miles served his country with pride and honor. Herb was preceded in death by his wife, the former Elizabeth B. Koehler of Penns Grove, New Jersey, and his brothers William, Harry, and Gene. He is survived by his brother Carl J. Miles of Pennsville, New Jersey, three children, son William J. Miles, daughter Shawn S. Burkhardt of Carney's Point, and, step son Fred G. Kern, as well as, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. A memorial service is planned at Ashcraft Funeral Home, 47 State Street, Penns Grove, New Jersey on Saturday, May 25th at 12:00. www.ashcraftfuneralhomes.com

Herbert Miles

May 11, 1921 - April 21, 2013