The 11th Armored Division advances. Burnett Miller of Sacramento served in this company and found himself involved in the Battle of the Bulge.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-207057)

American infantrymen advance along a snow-covered road during the Ardennes campaign. 1945.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-327687)

The Alhambra Theatre in Sacramento.

Source: Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center (2001/ x-03/ 007)

Largest land battle on the Western Front during World War II and the largest engagement ever fought by the U.S. Army. In early December 1944, Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower planned major offensives in the northern and southern sectors of the Western Front. To ensure sufficient power for . . .

In Belgium, an exposed member of the 82nd Airborne Division scrambles for cover. December 24, 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-197861)

Burnett Miller was born on September 2, 1923 in Sacramento. His father ran a successful lumber business. Miller was a sophomore in ROTC at Santa Clara College when the war began. In May of 1943, he was called to active duty and after basic training entered the Army Specialized Training . . .

Sacramento's Burnett Miller takes a break from the fighting in Europe. Miller participated in the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria.

Source: Burnett Miller

Burnett Miller, center, and four others outside barracks at training camp. They feign combat readiness. Miller would go on to participate in the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria.

Source: Burnett Miller

Sacramento's Burnett Miller atop a tank in Europe. Miller served with the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division.

Source: Burnett Miller

Burnett Miller reads a letter he wrote to his mom while he was overseas.

Sacramento was a fun place for a kid to grow up.

Samples of letters home written by Burnett Miller

We came home and said goodbye to our parents. We had no idea what we were getting into.

Men had to dig foxholes in the frozen ground at the Battle of the Bulge.

Chow is served to American infantrymen on their way to La Roche, Belgium. January 13, 1945.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-198849)

Infantrymen grab sleep where they can. Normandy, France, July 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-191444)

An empty road in a forest near Bastogne, Belgium, December 27, 1944

Source: National Archives (111-SC-199296)

Bill Mauldin worked for Stars and Stripes during the war. His cartoons were viewed by GIs serving in Europe.

Source: Copyright 1945 by Bill Mauldin. Displayed courtesy of the William Mauldin Estate.

Emaciated prisoners wedged into a bunk house at Mauthausen. Liberated by 11th Armored Division -- Burnett Miller's unit. May 6, 1945.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-206397)

Starving prisoners at Mauthausen concentration camp. Burnett Miller's unit helped liberate this camp.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-127K-2)