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Polito, Michael John

Individual Personnel Data
Name Polito, Michael John   
Rank Corporal / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 32782979   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #53 dated 20 July 1943, effective 20 July 1943.
Duty Flexible Gunner / Togglier
Last Duty Date 4 March 1944
Results Evaded Capture
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 4 March 1944 per General Orders #70, Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe dated 29 Septemmber 1944.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 30 January 1923
  • Promoted to Sergeant on AAF Station 106 Special Orders #54 dated 21 July 1943.
  • Placed on seven days Temporary Duty (R&R) on or about 28 September 1943 to Moulsford Manor near Chelsey, Berkshire per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #105 dated 27 September 1943.
  • Promoted to Staff Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #107 dated 1 October 1943.
  • Promoted to Technical Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #191 dated 28 September 1944.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 2740 (39.737 MB)
Escape & Evasion Report # 2113 (Filesize N/A)




Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 14 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
24 16 September 1943 Target: Blockade Runner Ship (in Loire River)
Type: Transportation
Location: Nantes, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑3218 Combat Mission Credit
Group deputy.
Sortie Report
25 23 September 1943 Target: Submarine Repair Ship
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Nantes, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑3218 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Lead. Ground Spare Aircraft. Replaced 42‑29768.
Sortie Report
26 27 September 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑3218 Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report
29 8 October 1943 Target: Workshops
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Bremen, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑3218 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
High Squadron lead. Turned back, unable to keep up with formation due to lack of power.
Sortie Report
30 9 October 1943 Target: Aircraft Factories
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Anklam, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑3441 Combat Mission Credit
Group lead.
Sortie Report
31 10 October 1943 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Münster, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑3218 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report
32 14 October 1943 Target: Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑30033 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back. Landed away at Metfield.
Sortie Report
35 5 November 1943 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑30033 Combat Mission Credit
Returned Early
Turned back because of oxygen failure and #3 engine not operating properly; bombed a target of opportunity with unobserved results.
Sortie Report
38 29 November 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑5838 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
55 29 January 1944 Target: Aircraft Parts Plants
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37816 Combat Mission Credit
Wing lead.
Sortie Report
59 5 February 1944 Target: Bricy Aerodrome, Luftwaffe Training and Bomber Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Orleans, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑29809 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
60 6 February 1944 Target: Nancy/Essey Aerodrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑29809 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1031 hrs due to defective bomb racks; bombs were released when bombardier released bomb bay tanks over North Sea.
Sortie Report
61 8 February 1944 Target: Piston Ring Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑29809 Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron.
Sortie Report
62 11 February 1944 Target: Propeller Factory (Foundry)
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31235 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑29828. Flying spare; joined formation; aborted before reaching enemy coast because oil temperature on #2 engine was too high, and #2 and #4 engines had detonation (pinging).
Sortie Report
63 20 February 1944 Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Leipzig & Bernburg, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97521 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
41A Group. Turned back with #1 engine out.
Sortie Report
64 21 February 1944 Target: Fighter Field & Aircraft Storage Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Werl, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31484 Combat Mission Credit
Low group lead, 41st B Combat Wing.
Sortie Report
65 22 February 1944 Target: Aircraft Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt & Aschersleben, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑29632 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
41A Group.
Sortie Report
66 24 February 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31926 Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron, lead group.
Sortie Report
67 25 February 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly & Ball Bearings Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Augsburg & Stuttgart, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31484 Combat Mission Credit
41C Group, High Squadron, Low group.
Sortie Report
68 28 February 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Preuseville, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31484 Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron.
Sortie Report
71 4 March 1944 Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany
Togglier 42‑32007 Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
In formation at bomb release at 1157 hrs; damaged by flak, crashed 3 km north of Ransart, Belgium. MACR 2740
Sortie Report

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