Millard Jackson Buchanan was born in February, 1924 to John and Lottie Buchanan of Elk Township, Pennsylvania. Millard was one of five children. Millard, who like to be called “Jack” graduated from Oxford High School in 1941. The high school yearbook writes:
Jack is that bashful young gentleman from down Hickory Hill way. Jack is the President of Senior Ping Pong and from what we hear he can play a ready game. It may seem as if Jack doesn’t like the girls, but that really isn’t so: just give him time and he will prove that he can be just as much a lady’s man as the rest of them.
Millard obtained employment with the Passmore Supply Company after high school.
Millard enlisted in the Navy, entering service on July 14. After basic training, he attended the Naval Radiomen Training School at the University of Wisconsin, in Madison, graduating in December, 1942.