This story is about Roy Smith Miller, a founding member of James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion, Department of Louisiana. He signed the Application for Post of American Legion on September 24, 1919. The Application was approved on October 10, 1919, which is considered the founding day of the Post.
Roy was born on February 6, 1894. Prior to World War I he was an officer in the First Separate Troop, Louisiana Calvary, a National Guard unit. This unit was activated for service on March 17, 1917 and was redesignated as Headquarters Troop, 42nd Division, United States Army. Roy and his unit departed for France on October 18, 1917. The 42nd Division saw extensive combat for 174 days during the war. Roy led his unit during their return to the United States on April 26, 1919. The unit received a hero’s welcome in Jennings on May 13, 1919.
After the war, Roy owned and operated a tailor shop in Jennings. On September 24, 1919 Roy and 41 other World War I veterans from Jefferson Davis Parish submitted an Application for Post of American Legion to American Legion State and National Headquarters. The Post was designated as James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion, Department of Louisiana. The Post was named after a soldier from Jennings who died in service to his country in World War I. The Post received their temporary charter on October 10, 1919, and Roy served as the Post’s first Commander.
In 1921 Roy was selected by Louisiana Governor John Parker to represent Louisiana and participate in the ceremony for the Unknown Soldier of World War I, who is interred at Arlington National Cemetary. After the First World War Roy remained active with the Louisiana National Guard and rose to the rank of Major. He commanded the 108th Calvary Regiment, which had subordinate units in Louisiana and Georgia.
Roy was married to Margaret Lee on May 15, 1917. They had two daughters, Marilyn and Patricia. In 1926 Roy and his family moved from Jennings, and during the next six years Roy served as Manager of Chambers of Commerce in Lafayette, LA, Duncan, OK, and Alexandria, LA. He died in Alexandria, LA on December 28, 1932. He is interred at Greenwood Cemetary in Jennings. Roy is the brother of fellow Post 19 founding member Earl C. Miller. Roy’s granddaughter Margaret "Wezie" LeBlanc and her family reside in Lafayette, LA.
Roy had twelve (12) grandchildren. His daughter Marilyn (Wezie's Mother) had 4 girls and 4 boys, and they lived in Lafayette, LA. Roy's daughter Patricia had 2 girls and 2 boys, and they lived in California. Roy had 19 great grandchildren and numerous great greats. Marilyn passed away in 2012 at the age of 90. Patricia passed away in 2017 at the age of 92.
