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name
PODOLSKI, Paul David - Date of
birth
16 September 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
South Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
31136342 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Bombardier/Nose Gunner -
Unit
576th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 May 1944 - Place of
death
Gueltz and the railroad Demmin-Altentreptow, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 27 | 7 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William A. Podolski (father)
Mary A. M. Podolski (mother)
Mane T. Podolski (sister)
Charles A. Podolski (brother)
Alfred S. Podolski (brother)
Robert J. Podolski (brother)
William A. Podolski (brother)
Thomas Podolski (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95136 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Politz, Germany
MACR: 05212
More information
S/Sgt Paul D. Podolski was an outstanding athlete at Dedham High. He was employed at the Readville carshops before he entered the service on 25 June 1942, and graduated from Wendover Aerial Gunnery School at Wendover Field, Utah in October 1943 and was serving as Bombardier and Gunner.Lt Bassett, the only survivor, gave a brief account on a casualty interrogation (U.S.) form dated 27 July 1945. He stated that the plane had been attacked by enemy fighters and the nose section had been set afire; that he bailed out but saw no more parachutes coming down, although he was in a position to see them had others gotten out. That was the extent Df his report (in this MACR file record).
Podolski was buried at the village of Gueltz, (800) meters from the Gueltz Estate Germany.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers, www.b24.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, www.archives.gov, www.newspapers.com - The Boston Globe - 13 July 1944
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.millercountymuseum.org, www.newspapers.com - The Boston Globe 13 July 1944 / The Boston Globe - 18 October 1945