EASTERN IOWANS ARE GRADUATED AS ARMY PILOTS.
A number of men from eastern Iowa became combat pilots last week in graduation ceremonies of the AAF training command in Texas and Oklahoma. All received commissions as second lieutenants.
In the group were David H. Battin (see photo), son of Mrs. Franklin Battin formerly of Cedar Rapids and now of College Station, Texas, who was graduated from Moore field, Mission, Texas;
Robert B. Martin (see photo), son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Martin, 613 A avenue NW, Lubbock field, Texas;
Gene A. Moes (see photo), son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Moes, 1619 First avenue SW, Blackland field, Waco, Texas;
Robert E. Morris (see photo), son of Mrs. Jenny Morris, 887 Daniels street NE, Aloe field, Texas.
Also among the graduates were:
Curtis L. Schnell (see photo), of Center Point, Frederick field, Okla.;
Donald A. Bolmgren, of Decorah, Lubbock field;
Eugene B. Thomson (see photo) of Garrison, Pampa field, Texas;
Stanley G. Steiner (see photo) of Monticello, Foster field, Texas;
Kenneth D. Taylor (see photo) of Springville, Frederick field;
Leo W. Smith of West Union, Pampa field.
Robert E. Harrington of Postville, was graduated from Foster field with rank of first lieutenant.
Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette, March 21, 1944 (eight photos included)
Lt. Bolmgren Reported Killed in Yugoslavia
Liberator Pilot First Listed Missing On Vienna Mission
Second Lt. Donald A. Bolmgren, husband of the former Bette Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Miller, 15 W. 21st street, was killed in action over Yugoslavia, according to a telegram from the War Department.
Mrs. Bolmgren received a telegram from the War Department January 31, stating that Lt. Bolmgren was missing in action January 15. In a letter which followed, it was stated that the Liberator he was piloting became disabled on a bombing mission over Vienna, Austria, and had left the formation on the homeward trip over the Adriatic sea.
Lt. Bolmgren was based in Italy with the 15th air force. Word has been received that seven of his crew that bailed out have returned to their base, while two others are still missing.
A graduate of Decorah, Ia. high school, Lt. Bolmgren attended Luther college, Decorah, before entrance into the air corps in September, 1942. He took his pre-cadet training at Morningside college and received advanced training at the army air base in Lubbock, Tex., where he was commissioned March 12, 1944.
Surviving are his widow, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bolmgren, Decorah, and a brother, Lester, in the Navy.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, Friday, March 23, 1945 (photo included)
Donald Adrian Bolmgren was born May 8, 1922 to Carl R. and Alice Fjelstul Bolmgren. He died Jan. 15, 1945 and is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy.
Lt. Bolmgren served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 824th Bomber Squadron, 484th Bomber Group, Heavy and was MIA/KIA in northern Yugoslavia, He was awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal.
Source: ancestry.com
