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William Kolbe, 1944
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| Recent Address: |
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74 N. Copperknoll Circle, The Woodlands, TX 77381
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| Email: |
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| Family Information: |
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Parents: Harold and Marguerite; Wife: Joy; Children: Patricia, James; Sibling: Shirley
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| Hometown: |
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Detroit, MI
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| Date Entered Service: |
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February 24, 1943
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| Service Number: |
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16159419 and O-2057951
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| Bomb Group: |
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462nd
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| Squadron: |
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770th
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| Location of Unit: |
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Tinian - June 1945
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| Missions Flown: |
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8
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| Hump Missions Flown: |
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| Targets: |
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Takamatsu, Namazu, Fukui, Kawanishi Aircraft Factory, Hachiogi, Saga, Fukuyama, VJ Day
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| Awards/Decorations: |
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Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon wit 3 Battle Stars, Air Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Badge, WWII Victory Medal, Occupation Ribbon with Japan Clasp
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| Service Schools Attended: |
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Aerial Gunnery-Tyndall Field, FL Dec 1944; Aerial Navigation-Selman Field, LA May 1944; Radar-Bombardment-Victorville, CA Feb 1945
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| Military Specialty(ies): |
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MOS 1034-Navigator, MOS 0142-Radar Observer, Bombardment
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| Rank Upon Discharge: |
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1st Lt.
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| Crew Type: |
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Flight crew
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| Airplane Serial No.& Name: |
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42-6256 Ramp Tramp and others.
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| Were you a POW? |
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No
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| Were you interned? |
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No
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| Date Transferred from the 58th: |
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October 26, 1945
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| Date Discharged from the 58th: |
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July 22, 1946
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| Post-WWII Military Service: |
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Active in the Air Force Reserves until January 30, 1953
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| Post-WWII Civilian Occupation(s): |
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Returned to school and received my BSME from the Univ. of Michigan in 1950. Joined the General Motors Corp. at the GM Technical Center, Warren, Michigan. Worked in various engineering and administrative positions, primarily in the automotive powertrain and accessory areas. Retired as an executive of General Motors after 37 years.
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| Thoughts on the 58th Bomb Wing: |
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My service in the 58th Bomb Wing allowed me to contribute to the war effort in an organization that I was very proud of. I was able to know and work with wonderful dedicated people and to go places and have experiences that I would never had the opportunity otherwise. It helped me to mature by testing me under combat conditions. It was an experience that I would not have chosen had circumstances been different but looking back I am glad that I had the opportunity to participate. My main regret is for all of my comrades who did not return. I will never forget them.
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| Comments: |
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William Kolbe - 2002
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