Leland Eugene Mills was born on March 7, 1922, in Winters, Runnels County, Texas. He was the son of Hallie F. Mills and Evelyn J. Yeats Mills. He was married to Jo Adell Brannon Mills. He served in the 751st Bomber Squadron, 457th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-17 (42-97465) known as ''Scarlet Harlot'' during World War II.

On April 9, 1944, "Scarlet Harlot" took part in a large-scale bombing operation over the Baltic coast, targeting German factories involved in Focke-Wulf aircraft production near Gdynia (then Gotenhafen). During the mission, "Scarlet Harlot" was hit by intense German anti-aircraft fire and eventually went down near Osiek Lęborski, Poland. While the pilot did not survive the crash, most of the crew managed to parachute out, though they were soon captured and taken as prisoners of war. Tragically, two crew members who bailed out were later found deceased due to injuries sustained during their descent.

SSgt Mills was captured by German forces, became a Prisoner of War. He was held at Stalag Luft III in Zagan, Poland, and was liberated at the end of the war. After World War II, Mills worked for the Civil Service living in Montana, North Dakota, and Abilene, Texas, where he was a traffic manager for Dyess Air Force Base before retiring in 1981. SSgt Mills died on April 5, 1997, and is now buried in the Northview Cemetery, Winters, Runnels County, Texas, USA.

Source of information: www.trojmiasto.pl, ww.americanairmuseum.com