Forrest Marion "Tim" Milas
Forrest Marion “Tim” Milas | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Marion Miloszewski |
| Nickname(s) | Tim |
| Born | March 15, 1924 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | October 17, 2016 (aged 92) Vallejo, California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1941–1972 |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander (LDO) |
| Battles/wars |
|
Forrest Marion Milas (March 15, 1924 – October 17, 2016), also known as Tim Milas, was a career officer in the United States Navy who served for 30 years (1941–1972). He enlisted shortly before the United States entered World War II and later became a commissioned limited duty officer (LDO), retiring with the rank of lieutenant commander.[1]
Milas was an enlisted submariner aboard USS Gato (SS-212) during the Battle of Midway (June 1942). A Naval Order of the United States newsletter reported that Gato was assigned to screen the U.S. task force during the battle, and quoted Milas describing the wartime submarine experience as one in which he “never saw the sun” for much of the war.[2]
Early life
Milas was born Marion Miloszewski on March 15, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois.[1] During World War II, he legally changed his name to Forrest Marion Milas.[2]
World War II and the Battle of Midway
Milas enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 1, 1941 and volunteered for submarine duty.[3] By mid-1942, he was serving as an enlisted submariner aboard USS Gato (SS-212); the Naval Order of the United States reported that Gato screened the U.S. carrier force during the Battle of Midway.[2]
The Battle of Midway (June 4–7, 1942) is widely described as a pivotal U.S. victory in the Pacific War, in which American forces sank four Japanese aircraft carriers and shifted the strategic initiative away from Japan.[4][5] U.S. Navy historical commentary has also emphasized that the outcome was not simply “miracle” or chance, highlighting preparation, intelligence, and operational decisions as contributing factors.[6]
The Naval Order newsletter further stated that Milas later experienced hearing loss that he attributed to Japanese depth-charge attacks during wartime submarine operations.[2]
Postwar and Cold War service
After World War II, Milas remained in naval service and continued working in the submarine community during the early Cold War period, later living in Vallejo, California, during multiple periods beginning in 1946.[1]
Commissioned service and retirement
Milas ultimately became a commissioned officer and retired from the Navy in 1972 as a lieutenant commander.[1][3]
Later life
After retiring from active duty, Milas worked for the Bechtel Corporation.[1] He was active in veterans and local heritage organizations in Vallejo, including service as a docent at St. Peter’s Chapel at Mare Island.[1]
Death
Milas died on October 17, 2016, at Sutter Solano Hospital in Vallejo, California.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Tim Milas Obituary (1924–2016)". Legacy.com. October 21, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2026 – via Times Herald Online.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Naval Order of the United States Newsletter – Summer 2014" (PDF). Naval Order of the United States. pp. 10–11. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Smith, Tyson Christopher (January 2026). "From Midway to the Cold War: The Silent Service of Forrest Marion "Tim" Milas". Medium. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Battle of Midway". Encyclopaedia Britannica. December 1, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ↑ "The Battle of Midway". The National WWII Museum. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ↑ "H-006-1 Midway Overview". Naval History and Heritage Command (U.S. Navy). Retrieved January 6, 2026.
Further reading
- "American Submariner (AS2017Q1V2)" (PDF). United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI). Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- "American Submariner (AS2020Q2V1)" (PDF). United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI). Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- "American Submariner (2020 Issue 2)" (PDF). University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC). Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- Lawver, Allen. "Black Cat: Halsey's Goal Keeper in the Pacific". Naval Submarine League (archive). Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- "Naval Officers Union of the United States Newsletter – Autumn 2003" (PDF). Naval Officers Union of the United States. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- "NERA Summer 2011 publication" (PDF). National Electric Reliability Association. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- "2 from Benicia, 2 from Vallejo will join about 37 WWII veterans for special program Sunday aboard the USS Hornet". Times-Herald Online. June 17, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- Sharpe, Robert G. "The Making of a Battle Flag: U.S.S. Gato (SS-212) 1941–1945" (PDF). TheEgg42.com. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- "Tim Milas". Times-Herald Online. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- "What is the Spirit of Midway? (Program)" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command (U.S. Navy). Retrieved January 6, 2026.
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