Forrest Miller was born in1910 and is fondly remembered as a caring individual by many local pilots who experienced their first exposure to flying. Forrest began dual instruction as a student with Curly Bill Johnson in Curly Bill’s OX-5 powered KR-31 Fairchild Challenger at the then high price of $20 per hour. When Forrest soloed, he did so in his own OX-5 American Eagle on August 14, 1932. However, he did not obtain his private license until February 6, 1939 when CAA Inspector E.A. ‘Pete’ Goff from Pittsburgh bestowed that certificate. As part of the flight test Forrest had to demonstrate tailspins in a Piper Cub, with Instructor Bill Rannells riding as check pilot and Inspector Goff observing from the ground. In April, 1939 he traded the American Eagle for a 1936 Taylor J-2 Cub, with a 40 hp engine. Forrest then obtained his commercial license in June, 1940. At the Mexico Farms Airport he was acknowledged as a veteran pilot who had flown many types of airplanes and one who would graciously and readily give advice in a kind and caring manner. During this time he let several would be teenage pilots, to their delight, fly his Cub for a very low fee. One of these was John Kidner, who was later shot down as a B-17 crew member of the 8th Air Force and the famous 100th Bomb Group. This Bomb Group was the main subject depicted in the popular movie, ‘Twelve O’clock High’. Kidner was captured by the Germans and spent several months as a German prisoner. Later Kidner became well known as a satirist type news editorialist in Washington, DC.
Forrest entered the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1942 after his War Training Service during WW II. Following the end of the war he returned to Keyser, WV and continued flying and instructing at Miller Field, his own private air strip. By 1976 Forrest had accumulated over 5000 hours flying time. Forrest Miller was a highly respected instructor who provided the opportunity for many student pilots of modest means to learn to fly and was a person greatly admired by all who knew him. Forrest died in 1995.
Forrest Miller in his later years with 1939 photos of his J-2 Cub and his American Eagle, which he owned from 1932 until 1938. In the backdrop to the rear of the American Eagle are the letter identified hangars at Mexico Farms and the barber pole windsock holder.
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Wings Over Cumberland 