Anthony E. Dolgiela
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

In February 1945, Second Lieutenant Anthony E. Dolgiela was serving as a co-pilot with the 759th Bomb Squadron, 459th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 304th Bombardment Wing, 15th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces, based at Giulia Airfield, Italy. The 459th Bombardment Group flew B-24 Liberator bombers on missions in Italy, France, the Balkans, Austria and Germany.

On 16 February 1945, 2LT Golgiela was the co-pilot of B-24L Liberator bomber Serial Number 44-49435 that was on a mission to bomb a target at Regensburg, Germany. [Missing Air Crew Record (MACR) 12100.] The aircraft had a crew of 10.

MACR 12100 reports that the aircraft was last sighted by SSGT William J. Burnette. His statement was as follows: ”At about 1030, on the 16th February 1945 while on our way on a combat mission to Regensburg, Germany, LT Smith left the formation off the coast of Yugoslavia. When he left all four engines were running and the plane seemed well under control.”

Although MACR 12100 does not state any specifics, the aircraft crashed and the entire crew was Killed in Action with the date of death 16 February 1945.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 3
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Forces Pilot Badge

B-24L Liberator bomber Serial Number 44-49435 had the following crew members on 16 February 1945.

● Pilot: 1LT Warren J. Smith [Honoree Record ID 207905] KIA
● Co-Pilot: 2LT Anthony E. Dolgiela [Honoree Record ID 201506] KIA
● Navigator: 2LT James F. Tomb [Honoree Record ID 208526] KIA
● Bombardier: 2LT Raymond J. Crouch [Honoree Record ID 308795] KIA
● Engineer: TSGT Eugene A. Swain [Honoree Record ID 308796] KIA
● Radio Operator: TSGT Artie A. Winningham [Honoree Record ID 308797] KIA
● Nose Turret Gunner: SSGT Harold W. Blake [Honoree Record ID 308798] KIA
● Waist Gunner: SSGT Orland J. Wilkinson [Honoree Record ID 308799] KIA
● Ball Turret Gunner: SSGT Sol J. Schwartz [Honoree Record ID 308800] KIA
● Tail Turret Gunner: SSGT John T. Morgan [Honoree Record ID 308801] KIA

Burial

Second Lieutenant Anthony E. Dolgiela is buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno, Provincia di Roma, Lazio, Italy in Plot J, Row 4, Grave 61.

[The information in this biography was derived primarily from various sections of the 459th Bombardment Group website at http://www.459bg.org/ and permission was granted for its use.]