Bernetta Adams Miller

She led a colorful life including winning a Croix de Guerre in World War I and being one of the people standing between Albert Einstein and the public at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.

She was the pilot chosen to demonstrate the Moisant-Blériot monoplane to the United States Army at College Park, Maryland on October 7, 1912.

In a special edition, the New York Times reported on Miller's insistence on flying despite the recent death of two military aviators, Lt. Rockwell and Cpl.

[2] On September 29, 1912, the newspaper quoted her as sayingI am not here to do fancy flying, but simply to show the people of Washington that the monoplane is a better machine than the biplane.

With increasing disapproval of women flying after the death of Harriet Quimby, and suffering financial difficulties, she gave up aviation soon after.

Her commendation read Assigned to Tours at the beginning of 1918 and then sent to the Toul sector in June 1918, she rendered the biggest services before and during the offensive of Saint-Mihiel, serving and helping the injured in the advanced aid stations.

She was in the sector of the Argonne during this last offensive.In a letter of commendation from the command of the 82nd Division on 13 January 1919 it was said that While operating her canteen near the front line, at Noviant, France, on the night of August 4, 1918, Miss Miller was under heavy enemy fire, where she served hot chocolate and other supplies to the men, when it was impossible for these supplies to be obtained elsewhere.

On October 17, 1918, during an attack near St. Juvin, France, under enemy fire, she visited the front lines, carrying a supply of cigarettes and other comforts to the men.

By her devotion to duty, disregard of personal danger and untiring energy she did much to maintain a cheerful spirit among the soldiers during a critical time.From 1926 to 1933 Bernetta was Bursar of the American College for Girls in Istanbul, Turkey.

[4] Her 1912 flying suit (actually one made for riding in open automobiles) is on display at the College Park Airport in Maryland.

Her pilot's license and Early Bird plaque are in the collection of the Stark County Historical Society, dba McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, in her hometown of Canton, Ohio.