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Personal info

Full name
BOLGER, Patrick J
Date of birth
8 April 1911
Age
32
Place of birth
Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Hometown
The Bronx, Bronx County, New York

Military service

Service number
32439400
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
331st Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
27 September 1943
Place of death
In the vicinity of Norden, north of Emden, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 15 7

Immediate family

Members
Mary Bolger (mother)
Margaret Bolger (sister)
William Bolger (brother)
Elizabeth Bolger (sister)
Edward Bolger (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-5888
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Elusive Elcy
Destination: Emden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port area
MACR: 732

More information

S/Sgt Patrick J Bolger immigrated from Irish Free State (now known as Ireland) on 12 August 1929. He was employed as a cashier at Emigrant Savings Bank.

The aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters and was last seen on fire, losing altitude, going down. It's left wing then came off and it exploded. Two men were seen to come out of the ship, but only one with a parachute.

S/Sgt Bolger was initially buried at the cemetery of Wittmund, Germany on 28 September 1943.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census

Photo source: www.findagrave.com