Harold B. Miller; Former Head of Radio Free Europe

Harold B. Miller, 89, former head of Radio Free Europe, a naval aviator, a public relations executive and an author. He was a Navy flier on a dirigible during World War II when Adm. Chester W. Nimitz tapped him to be public relations director for the Navy. Nimitz was said to be envious of the extensive press coverage given to Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Miller was promoted to rear admiral at age 42, the youngest person at that time to hold that rank, and he inaugurated a policy of being available for media questions at any hour of the day or night. He authorized more correspondents for battle zones and recruited 20th Century Fox to film the widely acclaimed documentary “The Fighting Lady.” After he left the Navy he became president of the National Committee for Radio Free Europe and then joined Trans World Airlines as director of public relations, a post he held for 11 years. He wrote magazine articles, children’s books on aviation and the book “Navy Wings” in 1937. In Overland Park, Kan., on May 15.