In February of 1942, Henry Miller was a 16-year-old boy growing up in the Shades section of Weehawken. He wasn’t much of a fan of going to school and wanted some sense of direction, so a friend doctored his birth certificate and he enlisted in the U.S. Army in the middle of World War II.
“My parents didn’t know I did it,” Miller said. “I quit school and took off. I told them that I had to go somewhere. But I never came back. They didn’t know where I was for three weeks. I felt it was something I had to do.”
As a member of the Army’s First Armored Division in the 14th Armored Infantry, Miller was called to action soon after he enlisted, participating in the invasions of Italy and Africa.
“A lot of my friends didn’t come back,” Miller said. “They’re still there. I’m here. I lost a lot of friends over there.”
Miller survived a battle in World War II and managed to enlist for three other tours of duty with the Army, spanning a total of nine years.
“I didn’t know what else to do with myself,” Miller said. “So I kept going back.”
When he finished his final tour of duty with the Army in 1957, Miller took the test to become a Weehawken firefighter.
“I didn’t know what to do with my life,” Miller said. “I decided I wanted to become a fireman. It was the best thing I’d ever done in my life.”
Miller remained a member of the Weehawken fire department for more than 25 years, finally retiring in 1983.
WWII vets can get diplomas
A few years ago, there was a program instituted by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs enabling World War II veterans to claim the high school diplomas they relinquished by going off to serve in the military.
Miller received the paperwork to participate in the program, but never filled it out or submitted it.
“I really never gave it much thought,” Miller said. “I didn’t want to bother.”
However, recently, he came across the forms and asked his son, Bruce, a Hudson County Sheriff’s officer, to see what could be done. After all, Henry Miller was approaching his 80th birthday. His long-time wife, Loretta, had passed away two years ago. His health was failing. It was time to become an official high school graduate.
“I handed the papers to Bruce and said, ‘See what you can do,’ ” Miller said. “I never thought they would do anything.”
Bruce Miller went to Weehawken High School Principal Dr. Peter Olivieri and Superintendent of Schools Kevin McLellan and asked if there was something they could do to award the diploma, some 62 years after Miller had dropped out.
“He did present proof that he met the requirements of an equivalency,” McLellan said. “Based on that, we issued Henry the diploma. I’ve known Henry for many years. I had Bruce as a student. I felt it was befitting that Henry should receive the diploma, and it was an honor and privilege to be able to grant him a diploma.”
McLellan added, “Considering what’s going on in the world today, with the many soldiers overseas and the anniversary of D-Day and the unveiling of the World War II Monument in Washington, it was perfect timing. It created an aura of thanks to someone who served this country honorably. Any time we can do something to recognize the military and what they do for this country, I’ll be the first in line. Henry proved that he was worthy to receive his diploma.”
Miller was presented with his high school diploma last week after his son received it from Dr. Olivieri. He is finally a Weehawken High School graduate.
“That makes my life complete,” Miller said. “I feel now like I’m up to par with the rest of the world. It’s long overdue. I should have gone to get it in 1956, but I never did. I was surprised that they gave it to me. I really enjoyed that. At least it completes what I started a long time ago.”
Miller said that his wife would be proud.
“She was a strong woman, a great woman,” Miller said. “She would be very happy about this. She used to joke with me, telling me I wasn’t that smart.”
Miller remains a resident of the Shades, in a home that is right around the corner from where he was born, residing in the home where the Millers raised sons Glenn and Bruce.
“I was born here, raised here, worked here and stayed here,” Miller said. “I’ve been sick for a while, but I enjoy being here. I’m a Shades boy through and through. I’m happy that this finally happened for me.”