Veterans' Memorial Project

Roy Emerson Bolin

Sullivan, IL

World War II

College: Engineering

Graduation Year: Attended 1940-1943

Service Branch: Army

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Date of Birth: 03/24/1921

Date of Death: 09/27/1944

Mr. Bolin was a B-24 pilot with the 445th Bomb Group, 703rd Squadron based in Tibenham, England. He was killed in action during a bombing raid over Kassel, Germany.
Of 34 B-24 bombers on the Kassel Mission, only 4 bombers made it back to Base. 114 U.S. airmen were Killed in Action and 122 were taken Prisoner of War during this mission. In addition to 2nd Lt. Pilot Bolin on this plane were 2nd Lt. Co-Pilot Lawrence G. Barben; 2nd Lt. Navigator Louis P. Ajello; 2nd Lt. Bombardier Truman Armstrong, Jr.; Sgt. Engineer Top Turret Gunner Charles E. Weatherly; S/Sgt. Radio Operator William Aaron; Sgt. Right Waist Gunner Robert W. Oleson; Sgt. Left Waist Gunner Tage R. Fredericksen; and Sgt. Tail Turret Gunner Orland J. Schooley. Schooley was the only crew member to survive the crash and POW camp. Lt. Bolin is buried with 6 crew members at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri, section 82 site 14B.

– submitted by Steven Heise, nephew and Don Lum, cousin of Charles E. Weatherly who died with Lt. Bolin

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