Archives West Finding Aid

Léontine Marie (Lejalu) Miller was born on April 17, 1900 to Jean M. Lejalu and Marie F. Lebonhomme in Trebrivan, Department des Côtes-d'Armor, Bretagne, France. Little is known about her childhood, or when she found her way to the United States. Eventually she found herself in Moscow,, Idaho after being hired by the University of Idaho during World War II. Within the university's Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), she taught the French language to the students of AST Unit 3926. The ASTP was designated by the US War Department in 1942 to train selected soldiers in linguistics and cultural and geographic knowledge of certain regions. Léontine's employment lasted only six months, from July 1943 to March 1944. She died on July 11, 1995 in Spokane, Washington.

Elisabeth Lapeyre was a foreign languages and literature professor at the University of Idaho. She taught French and was a staff member of the French House on campus. In 1996, Elisabeth began researching the ASTP at the University of Idaho and Unit 3926. Her research connected her with Colonel John Miller, son of Léontine. He gave Elisabeth various papers and photographs kept by Léontine, including ASTP member information. Elisabeth reached out to most of the members or their families. In fall of 1998, her research was compiled into an article called "The Army Specialized Training Program on the Palouse in World War II" which was published Idaho Yesterdays (journal).