Theodore Vladamir Kolaya
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Pilot
466th BG - 785th BS - 8th AF
KIA - 23 February 1945
Facebook - USAAF Class Book Project ABMC American Cemeteries
Object Number - UPL 47702 - 2LT Theodore V. Kolaya Pilot 466th BG - 785th BS - 8th AF KIA - 23 February 1945
Forced to ditch due to engine fire/failure 23 February 1945 in B-24 #42-110160 'Chris Crate II', Killed in Action (KIA). Ditched in North Sea on 6th combat mission. Only 3 crewmen escaped and were rescued.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34796020
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35366956
- Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-829614
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18098918
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-2068427
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Chris Crate II
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 491st Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 853rd Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Lansford, PA | 11 October 1921 | |
|
Enlisted |
Allentown, PA | 9 February 1943 | |
|
Died |
15 miles NNE of Cromer, Norfolk, UK | 23 February 1945 | Shortly after takeoff #4 engine was observed to be on fire. The #2 engine started cutting out and altitude could not be maintained. No attempt was made to feather either engine and loss of altitude was rapid until the a/c struck the water's surface. No warning bells were sounded. The aircraft struck the water into the wind, into a swell, pancaked down, tail high, power on. At impact the Martin turret came down, the bomb bay doors broke and the aircraft was broken through the floor at the waist, sinking rapidly. The radio operator escaped through the top hatch, pulled the flight engineer out, deployed the dinghy and picked up the tail gunner who had also escaped. No other crewmen were seen. |
| Lansford, PA, USA | 313 1/2 Bertsch Street |
Revisions
Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
Statement of Radio Operator, SSGT Thomas E. Henderson - 4 March 1945
BS Roll of Honor/accident report 72, MACR 2110160 Attlebridge Arsenal p. 159. / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia
