Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1942 Lucky Bag:

BLAINE GILMORE MILTNER

B.G., Milt

Fencing 4,2,1; Lacrosse 3; Movie Gang 2, 1; Boat Club 3; Radio Club 4; C.P.O.

Blaine is a fellow to envy! Not getting enough “juice” from academics, he studies radio for pleasure, tinkers with a homemade set when he is not writing letters. Another reason to envy him is his record of a letter per day without fail—the snake! Fortified with two years of college, “B.G.” had few academic difficulties. He is always ready to lend a helping hand.

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The Class of 1942 graduated on December 19, 1941, less than two weeks after the United States entered World War II. The class had previously been scheduled to graduate in February 1942.

Loss

Blaine was lost when USS Argonaut (APS 1) was sunk by a Japanese surface forces near Rabaul on January 10, 1943.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Blaine attended Kellogg grade school and graduated from East High in 1936. For two years, he attended the engineering department of University of Wichita and was a linesman on the freshman football team.

After graduation from the Naval Academy, he was assigned to the Atlantic fleet. He was then assigned to the submarine Argonaut.

His father Elmo was superintendent of the city disposal plant, mother Anna, brother Hugh.

From The Wichita Beacon on February 17, 1943 via researcher Kathy Franz:

All Wichita is resolutely hoping with Mr. and Mrs. Elmo F. Miltner for later, better news about Lieutenant Blaine Gilmore Miltner who is reported missing. Hosts of friends are feeling deeply for the Miltner family in these hours of suspense. And hosts of his friends are counting on the further word which will tell them that he is alive and well. Lieutenant Miltner’s admirers here in Wichita are legion, because he has all the qualities which attract people to youth. A native of the city he was a splendid student. He showed brilliancy in the Naval Academy in Annapolis. When he went off to the war, everyone in The Eagle office bidding him good-bye and Godspeed felt a great personal pride in him in his equipment in brain and in body, in his eager spirit to give his country the full measure of patriotic service. Since that day every one here has known that wherever Blaine Miltner served valor and strength was at his either hand and that he was bringing honor to his nation, his state, his city, his family and his friends. This community can not read into the report that he is missing hopelessness. For Wichita will wait for later, better word.

His father was listed as next of kin. He is listed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

Photographs

From The Wichita Eagle on July 8, 1941

From Wichita Evening Eagle on December 23, 1941. Pictured with his grandfather, H.F. Miltner

From the Lucky Bag