Millard Jackson Buchanan was born in February, 1924 to John and Lottie Buchanan who lived in Hickory Hill, Elk Township, Pennsylvania (southwest of Oxford near the Maryland state border). His father was a farmer, and was originally from Maryland. Millard was one of five children: Mary, Marshall, Millard, Rhoda, and Gladys. Millard, who like to be called “Jack” attended the Oxford High School, then located at  305 5th Street ,on the east side just below Hodgson Street. The high school yearbook  writes:

Jack is that bashful young gentleman from down Hickory Hill way. Jack is the President of Senior Ping Pong and from what we hear he can play a ready game. It may seem as if Jack doesn’t like the girls, but that really isn’t so: just give him time and he will prove  that he can be just as much a lady’s man as the rest of them.

Millard graduated from Oxford with the class of 1941. He obtained employment with the  Passmore Supply Company on South 3rd street. The company began in Avondale and supplied coal, lumber and ice to the area. Millard enlisted in the Navy entering the service on July 14. After basic training, he attended at the Naval Radiomen Training School at the University of Wisconsin, in  Madison, graduating in December 1942. Millard received gunnery training at Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida, as well as aviation training. He received commendations for his proficiency at both schools. Millard received the rating of ARM 3rd Class – an aviation  radioman gunner.

Millard then was assigned to a carrier for further training, on a cruise to Trinidad. When  he returned he was sent to Rhode Island. He served with CASU23 (Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 23) and Composition Squadron 32. On December 4th he traveled to Philadelphia over the weekend on Navy business, (most likely to Naval Station Willow Grove). His parents met him in the city, the last time they saw Millard.

On December 8, 1943, Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Millard James Buchanan was Killed In Action in an aircraft crash at sea.

His parents were notified by Mack Berkowich, Chairman of the Oxford branch of the American Red Cross.

Millard is remembered on the tables of the Missing or Buried at Sea on the East Coast  Memorial, in New York, New York.