Thurman Miller is a writer, veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps (unit K-3-5 of the First Marine Division, serving on Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester in the South Pacific in World War II), and a retired coal miner.  Born in 1919, he has written extensively about his experiences growing up in rural Appalachia in the Roaring Twenties and the Depression, fighting on Guadalcanal and New Britain, and working more than three decades as a coal miner.  He lives in Mt. Hope, WV.   The HBO miniseries The Pacific is based in part on the story of his Marine Corps outfit.

> Video interview with TI Miller (7 min.)
> Audio conversation among  members of K-3-5, First Marine Division, Guadalcanal (75 min.) Part 1 Part 2
> Become friends with Thurman on Facebook
> Thurman & David's historical site about the coal camp of Helen, WV
> Thurman will be signing copies of all his books on Saturday, May 29, 11 am - 4 pm, at the Tamarack in Beckley, WV.   Directions

War and Work (2001) is the epic story of a young man’s journey from a poor Appalachian childhood through the most notorious battles of World War II, followed by a thirty-year career in the most dangerous occupation in America. With dozens of historic photos and a down-to-earth, often humorous style the book shows off the uncommon wisdom, intelligence, and humility of this member of the Greatest Generation. A distinctly American journey through peace and war, work and family, love and redemption.

Sample chapters

Combining original essays, historical material, and interviews, Coal Bloom (2003) draws a stark portrait of a generation struggling through the Depression and the Great War to create an entirely new America. Coal Bloom combines the steadfast patriotism of the Greatest Generation with the pride, resourcefulness and humor unique to Appalachians. With fifty rare photographs, original illustrations, an extensive bibliography, and dozens of endnotes, Coal Bloom is a gripping, distinctly American tale of honor and self-reliance across ten tumultuous decades.

Winner of the Coal Heritage Research award.

Sample chapters / Bibliography

Always Faithful, Always Free (2008) draws on all ten decades of the author's life to paint a vivid portrait of the fast-disappearing Greatest Generation, from the struggles of the Depression and World War II through the creation of an entirely new America. His inspiring journey runs from a "holler" in West Virginia to the shores of Guadalcanal and back, and from the darkness of the coal mines to the brilliance of a lifelong devotion to his beloved wife of 64 years.

More about Always Faithful, Always Free

Praise for T.I. Miller's books

“His first-hand account of the Pacific Campaign recalls some of the best reporting of the War, mixing harrowing accounts of hand to hand combat with the sort of humor that can only arise between strong men facing near-certain death…”
Post-Herald/Raleigh Register, Beckley WV

  “War and Work reveals the author’s Appalachian community values and the strength they generate…One of the Greatest Generation.”
Dr. Joanna Roberts, MD

 “Thurman saved the lives of a lot of the guys on our boat as we landed on Guadalcanal. He was determined that the boat would get in there!”
Lt. Colonel A.L “Scoop” Adams, USMC Ret.

 “A heck of a guy. Thank God for the Marines!”
Stephen Ambrose, Historian and Author