POWMIA.INFO

Airman Killed During World War II Accounted For (Politte, V.)

By DPAA Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2018 - Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Vincent L. Politte, killed during World War II, has now been accounted for. 

In the summer of 1943, Politte served as a gunner with the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. He was killed while participating in a raid on the Ploesti Oil Refinery complex north of Bucharest, Romania, during Operation Tidal Wave. The goal of the operation was to destroy the refineries in the area in order to hamper the German war effort. During the raid, Politte’s B-24 Liberator aircraft was hit by machine gun fire and crashed. Following the war, his remains could not be identified. 

DPAA is grateful to the American Battle Monuments Commission for their assistance in this mission. 

Interment services are pending; more details will be released 7-10 days prior to scheduled funeral services.

Politte’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery Impruenta, Italy, an American Battle Monuments Commission site, along with the other MIAs from WWII. Although interred as an Unknown in Neuville American Cemetery, Politte’s grave was meticulously cared for over the past 70 years by the ABMC. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

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