Re: Former POW Airman Passes

Date: March 20, 2004

"Kenneth Miles, 80, was Navy airman, POW during WWII

By Tan Vinh
Seattle Times staff reporter

Too young to enlist in the military during World War II, Kenneth G. Miles got his mother to sign a waiver, entered the Navy at 17 and fulfilled his dream of flying.

When his fighter was shot down early in his military career, he looked toward the next mission. Even years later, when he became a prisoner of war, his resolve was not shaken, his family said.

That fearlessness, toughness and spirit of adventure defined Mr. Miles throughout his life, his children said.

Mr. Miles, of Bellevue, died March 13 of heart failure. He was 80.

He grew up in El Dorado, Ark., where the family lost its real estate investments during the Depression. His father died when he was 11.

To help support the family, Mr. Miles worked in Arkansas oil fields, hitchhiking home when he could after exhausting days.

But he never lost sight of his dreams, said his son, Ken Miles. "He wanted to get out of a small town in Arkansas, and the way to get out of there was to join the Navy — see the world." With his mother's approval, the teen joined the Navy and fought in Europe as an airman in World War II. He was shot down twice and had more adventures and brushes with death than many ground-combat veterans.

When Mr. Miles' plane was downed on a mission in the Soviet Union, the 21-year-old was imprisoned in Siberia. Mr. Miles recalled huddling with other prisoners to keep warm and living on cabbage, bread and potatoes, said his son.

Mr. Miles escaped from the prison camp but was recaptured two days later, his son said. He was released after 18 months during a prisoner exchange.

"He never thought he would live as long as he did," said his daughter, Deborah Miles.

At 23, Mr. Miles returned home and went to the University of Arkansas, where he met Othie Harris on a blind date and was smitten. Three months later, the couple married.

Always patriotic, Mr. Miles joined the Naval Reserve during college. One semester away from getting his business degree, he was called to duty.

His service ranged from combat missions to flying admirals and diplomats to meetings around the world, said his children. After his years in the military he was fluent in both German and Japanese.

In his early 40s, Mr. Miles retired as a captain in the Naval Reserve, ready to take on a new career and spend more time with his five children. The family moved to Bellevue and he worked for Boeing in numerous jobs.

An outdoorsman, Mr. Miles loved the Northwest vistas of mountains and water. He fished for salmon in Neah Bay and trout in Canada, and trained bird dogs for hunting trips in Eastern Washington. He also loved to grow begonias and fuchsias.

He retired from Boeing after 20 years. Never one to sit quietly, Mr. Miles volunteered at Overlake Hospital's emergency room "because he wanted a place where there was action," said his son.

He is survived by his children Anita Keahey of Redmond, Kathy Meyer of Seattle, Ken Miles of Bellevue, Deborah Miles of Tacoma, and Susan Murphy of Kent; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Saint Louise Parish, 141 156th Ave. S.E., Bellevue, WA 98007, or to the American Heart Association, 710 Second Ave., Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104.

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or tvinh@seattletimes.com
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