Donald P Bolce
MilitaryPhotos provided by Don Bolce.
S/Sgt. Donald Bolce served in US Army Air Corps Nov. 12, 1942 to September 25, 1945. Not only was he a brave airman of the 437th Troop Carrier Group but, after the war throughout his 96 years, he shared hundreds of photos of his time in Europe during WW2, wrote of his experiences and those of his fellow airmen, and became a historian of the 437th Troop Carrier Group through his writings, videos, and through reunions. Don was the Radio Operator/Mechanic as part of the crew of C-47 #42-100806 in the 85th Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group, Ninth Troop Carrier Command, Ninth Air Force, European Theater of Operations. He participated in D-Day Invasion of Normandy, France; Operation Market Garden in Holland; Operation Dragoon; the Airborne invasion of Southern France; the Battle of the Bulge Resupply by Parachute to the surrounded 101st Airborne at Bastogne; Operation Varsity Airborne assault of Hitler’s Germany at Wesel, Rhine River, Germany; and numerous resupply missions. He was kind, generous, and always had a positive attitude no matter what challenges he faced.
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 437th Troop Carrier Group 85th Troop Carrier Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-364756
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: C-47 Skytrain
- Unit: 437th Troop Carrier Group
Missions
- Date: 6 June 1944
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield