Wesley Albert Milliken
Second Lieutenant Wesley “Bud” Milliken was a Marine pilot with VMSB-234
He was killed in a training accident near Barber’s Point, Hawaii, on 15 September 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-10317
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 8, 1918
at Oregon City, OR
Parents
Wesley Daniel Milliken
Bernice E. (Buckles) Milliken
Education
West Linn High School (1936)
Linfield College (1941)
Occupation & Employer
Entered service from college.
Service Life
Entered Service
June 18, 1941 (enlisted)
May 27, 1942 (officer)
Home Of Record
Lake Oswego, OR
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Jeanette “Betty” (White) Milliken
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMSB-234
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Second Lieutenant Wesley Milliken, a new Marine pilot and even newer married man, joined VMSB-234 on 1 September 1942. The squadron was training new personnel in advanced flying and dive-bombing tactics prior to deploying to the South Pacific.
On 15 September, just two weeks after arriving in Hawaii, Lieutenant Milliken took off for a morning flight in Dauntless SBD-1 #1754. Shortly before 0830 hours, witnesses saw Milliken’s plane dive on a target – and fail to pull out. The bomber slammed into the water and quickly sank out of sight. Rescue craft searched the area, but found no trace of Milliken or his gunner, PFC Arnold Carlson.
Both Marines were reported dead after the accident.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; aircraft crashed at sea.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Betty Milliken.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the Milliken-Carlson crash, 1-2 miles from Barber’s Point and MCAS Oahu.
Wes was my mother’s high school and college sweetheart, whom she married not long before he was killed. They loved each other very much, and I don’t think she ever got over losing him when she was only 21. Bette White Milliken from Lake Oswego Oregon was her name.