James Franklin Miles was born in 1920 to Mr. and Mrs. David Miles who lived in Chatwood, a small community  on West Chester Pike, just outside of West Chester Pennsylvania.   He was one of six children: Jean, Martha, Robert, Dorothy, David, Jr, and William.

 James attended West Chester High school.  He attended the Baptist Church in the town, and was a member of the Fame Fire Company.

 After his schooling he worked for Ball and Ball Brass works, which manufactured brass home hardware.  The Company was located just off Mechanics Alley (between South Walnut and Matlack Streets in West Chester.  (The Company is still in  business today, located in Exton, PA.)

 He married Sandra Adams of Delawanna, New Jersey.

 James entered service in the Army in April 1942.    He trained at Ford Eustis, Virginia, Camp Sheridan Illinois, and for a time was a military guard at an aircraft factory in Paterson, New Jersey.  He was later sent to Camp Stewart, Georgia, then to Fort Meade, Maryland.

 James was shipped overseas to the European Theater on January 31, 1945.

 Corporal James Franklin Miles was Killed In Action on February 20, 1945 in Germany.

 His parents received the fateful telegram on March 4^th.

 He was survived by his wife, Sandra, and a 9 month old child.