Miles

John I. Miles, resident of Reedville and Ophelia, VA, and a former United Airlines pilot and Navy carrier pilot during the Vietnam War, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026 after a fall. He was 91.

Mr. Miles was a Naval ROTC student at Dartmouth, from which he graduated in 1956. Lieutenant Commander John Miles served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany during 1966–1967, flying 198 combat missions over North Vietnam as part of Operation Rolling Thunder. He was part of the infamous Air Wing 16, which suffered over 30% casualty rate. The ship and its aviators became well known in U.S. Navy history, particularly following the devastating 1966 fire that claimed the lives of 44 sailors.

Among his cohorts in Air Wing 16 were Senator John McCain and Admiral James Stockdale. On June 10, 1966, Miles was forced to eject from his A-4E Skyhawk while returning to the Oriskany. He was awarded five Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Navy Commendation Medals, and 24 Air Medals. His call sign was “MildMannered.” He left the Navy in 1968 and joined United Airlines, eventually becoming Captain. He retired to Ophelia in 1989.

Mr. Miles was a collector of old cars. He continued to drive his first car – a 1936 Ford Phaeton convertible – throughout his life, driving his grandkids around and participating in the July 4th parade in Ophelia. He was a skilled draftsman (having majored in art and architecture), and he loved to have crab dinners with his family.

Mr. Miles was predeceased by his wife Joan Catherine Miles, to whom he had been married for 54 years. For the last 12 years of his life his loving partner was Edith (Edie) Clowers, of Reedville. He is survived by his sons Jeff Miles (Madeline), Brian Miles (Kathryn), and Tom Miles (Nanae); Edie’s daughter Susan Trezenka (Bill); seven grandchildren: Laura, Kathrine, Shawn, Krystyna, Madison, Ariel, and Flora, and three great-grandchildren: Cooper, Margot, and Tallulah.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Afton Methodist Church in Ophelia. Burial will take place at Arlington Cemetery at a later date.