Webb Miller (February 10, 1891^[1] – May 7, 1940^[2]) was an American journalist and war correspondent. He covered the Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, the Spanish Civil War, the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, the Phoney War, and the Russo-Finnish War of 1939. He was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the execution of the Frenchserial killerHenri Désiré Landru (“Bluebeard”) in 1922.^[1] His reporting of the Salt Satyagraha raid on the Dharasana Salt Works was credited for helping turn world opinion against British colonial rule of India.^[3]

Cultural influences

In 1943, the U.S. government announced that Liberty ships would begin to be named after distinguished journalists who had died in action. The first Liberty ship to be named for a war correspondent was the SS Webb Miller. The ship carried American soldiers onto the beaches at Normandy.^[14]

Scholars now consider Miller’s account of Bluebeard’s death a classic of spot journalism. The report is often required reading for aspiring journalists.^[15]

Webb Miller was also the inspiration for the character of Vince Walker in the movie Gandhi, portrayed by Martin Sheen.^[1]

1  Eby, John (3 May 2007). “SMC museum lands Miller memorabilia”. Dowagiac Daily News. Retrieved 11 February 2011.

More at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webb_Miller_(journalist)

Martin Sheen and Ben Kingsley play Vince Walker and Gandhi in the movie Gandhi