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Arthur E. Muller Jr. 1955

Cullum No. 20304-1955 | May 24, 1958 | Died in London, England, United Kingdom
Interment: West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY


Arthur Edward Miller, Jr., was born on Staten Island, NY, in December 1931, the only son of Arthur and Gertrude Muller. Growing up on Staten Island, he attended Public School 40, New Brighton, and graduated from Curtis High School in 1949. While in high school, he played the trumpet in the band and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a member of the Sons of American Revolution, Empire State Council. His fascination for photography was enhanced by the high school graduation gift of a German camera.

After high school, he attended Hobart College in Geneva, NY, for two years. While there, he served in the 27th Infantry Division of the New York National Guard. He obtained a National Guard competitive appointment to USMA and, in the summer of 1951, he entered the Academy as a member of the Class of ’55, assigned to Company E-l.

With two years of prior college, the curriculum at the Academy was not a problem for Art. As an accomplished photographer, he often had a camera over his shoulder. While at West Point, he was a member of the Dialectic Society, the Cadet Chapel Choir, the Howitzer staff, and the Pistol and Radio Clubs. He also served as the photographic editor for the Pointer.

Though he was always on the move with his projects, he would find time to help a classmate in need of assistance with academic problems. During his Yearling year, he injured his knee, and the surgery he underwent, limited, for a period, many physical activities. His love for photography helped to fill that time of recuperation.

Since his family was from the nearby New York City area, Art’s parents "adopted" his company. The Muller family were frequent visitors to the Academy. During Plebe year, especially, large collections of boodle were brought to Art, who shared it with his classmates. A particularly popular treat was Mrs. Muller’s tomato soup cake. During Buckner summer, after the Yearling year American Legion parade in New York City, the Mullers hosted the entire company at their Grymes Hill home on Staten Island. Everyone still remembers the scenic ferry ride from Manhattan to Staten Island. During summer leave, Art and his family spent many weeks in Ocean City, NJ. A great aunt and uncle, the Tobins, had a charming old home there, several blocks from the beach. Dan Dugan, a classmate and companymate, enjoyed their hospitality in both Staten Island and Ocean City. He later married Art’s youngest sister, Margaret, in December 1955.

After receiving his second lieutenant’s commission upon graduation, Art attended the usual number of training courses, including the Engineer Basic Course at Ft. Belvoir, VA; Ranger Training at Ft. Benning, GA; and Arctic Training at Ft. Greeley, AK. In December 1956, he was promoted to first lieutenant.

Upon completion of training, his stateside post was Ft. Carson, CO, with the 21st Combat Engineer Battalion. In February 1958, he was reassigned to Orleans, France, with the Base Section of the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) Communication Zone (COMZ). He was pleased to observe that the engineer units in COMZ—not contractors—did most of the construction work needed to support the depots.

In addition to photography, Art’s other abiding interests were animals of all sorts and automobiles. Upon his departure for France, he entrusted his magnificent German Shepherd, Prince, to his mother for the duration of his overseas tour. Prince was a very special part of Mrs. Mullers life for many years. He also acquired four cars in rapid succession after graduation. First, there was a 1955 Buick. Later, he had a Chrysler Imperial, a Plymouth and, finally, a Corvette, that he had shipped to France.

On 13 May 1958, Art found one of his soldiers drunk in town. In a typical compassionate act, Art was driving this soldier back to the engineer compound when his Corvette struck a tree. Art suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to Hammersmith Hospital in London. Use of an artificial kidney was provided, but to no avail. He died of his injuries on 24 May 1958, and was interred at West Point with full military honors.

In addition to his grieving parents, Art was survived by three sisters—Trudy, Joan, and Margaret. Family and friends honor the memory of a grand human being, whose life was cut very short. We cherish the memory of a mild-mannered, honest, and sincere young man. May he rest in peace.

Classmate and sisters

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