Suggested edit from Contributor (49039178)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Adolph Olenik, 19, killed during World War II, was accounted for Jan. 26, 2022.
In the summer of 1943, Olenik was assigned to the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Olenik was serving as a gunner crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
---------------------------------------------
Gunner S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik DFC MIA/KIA Remains recovered
Hometown: Gary, Ind.
Squadron: 345th BS 98th Bomb Group
Service# 15103844
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James A. Deeds DFC KIA
Target; Low level mission to destroy Rumanian Oil Fields, White IV. Ploesti.
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40991
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:N
Aircraft Name: KATE SMITH
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti
Cause: AA Crew 10 9KIA 1POW
Sgt. Adolph Olenik lost his life in action while on duty with the 98th Bomb Group for "Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the crew of 42-40991 destroy Rumanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt James A. Deeds and crew of the 98th BG from north Africa to Ploesti, Rumania 1943.
Briefed to fly in the last wave attacking White IV they took a direct hit on the cockpit while at the target area at an estimated 250 ft. The aircraft caught fire in the bomb bay and exploded in mid air. Miraculously Lt. Foster was blown clear of the disintegrating aircraft and was able to open his chute. Only 4 bodies were recovered and identified. Lt Foster became a POW.
S/Sgt. Olenik was a Gunner on this ill fated flight. His name appears Tablets of the Missing Florence American Cemetery and Memorial Florence Provincia di Firenze
Toscana, Italy. His remains were never recovered.
Crew of KATE SMITH
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.Clifton C. FosterCo Pilot
2nd/Lt. Francis V. Montemurro Navigator
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
T/Sgt. Frank Henry Leising Engineer
T/Sgt. James M. Howie Radio Op.
S/Sgt.Donald Allison Pimlott Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph T. Cupina Gunner
S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik Gunner
S/Sgt. John Washington Potts Gunner
~
This is a Memorial Site. View burial and family links at ACTUAL BURIAL HERE.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Adolph Olenik, 19, killed during World War II, was accounted for Jan. 26, 2022.
In the summer of 1943, Olenik was assigned to the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Olenik was serving as a gunner crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
---------------------------------------------
Gunner S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik DFC MIA/KIA Remains recovered
Hometown: Gary, Ind.
Squadron: 345th BS 98th Bomb Group
Service# 15103844
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James A. Deeds DFC KIA
Target; Low level mission to destroy Rumanian Oil Fields, White IV. Ploesti.
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40991
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:N
Aircraft Name: KATE SMITH
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti
Cause: AA Crew 10 9KIA 1POW
Sgt. Adolph Olenik lost his life in action while on duty with the 98th Bomb Group for "Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the crew of 42-40991 destroy Rumanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt James A. Deeds and crew of the 98th BG from north Africa to Ploesti, Rumania 1943.
Briefed to fly in the last wave attacking White IV they took a direct hit on the cockpit while at the target area at an estimated 250 ft. The aircraft caught fire in the bomb bay and exploded in mid air. Miraculously Lt. Foster was blown clear of the disintegrating aircraft and was able to open his chute. Only 4 bodies were recovered and identified. Lt Foster became a POW.
S/Sgt. Olenik was a Gunner on this ill fated flight. His name appears Tablets of the Missing Florence American Cemetery and Memorial Florence Provincia di Firenze
Toscana, Italy. His remains were never recovered.
Crew of KATE SMITH
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.Clifton C. FosterCo Pilot
2nd/Lt. Francis V. Montemurro Navigator
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
T/Sgt. Frank Henry Leising Engineer
T/Sgt. James M. Howie Radio Op.
S/Sgt.Donald Allison Pimlott Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph T. Cupina Gunner
S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik Gunner
S/Sgt. John Washington Potts Gunner
~
This is a Memorial Site. View burial and family links at ACTUAL BURIAL HERE.
Suggested edit from Contributor (49039178)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Adolph Olenik, 19, killed during World War II, was accounted for Jan. 26, 2022.
In the summer of 1943, Olenik was assigned to the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Olenik was serving as a gunner crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
---------------------------------------------
Gunner S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik DFC MIA/KIA Remains recovered
Hometown: Gary, Ind.
Squadron: 345th BS 98th Bomb Group
Service# 15103844
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James A. Deeds DFC KIA
Target; Low level mission to destroy Rumanian Oil Fields, White IV. Ploesti.
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40991
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:N
Aircraft Name: KATE SMITH
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti
Cause: AA Crew 10 9KIA 1POW
Sgt. Adolph Olenik lost his life in action while on duty with the 98th Bomb Group for "Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the crew of 42-40991 destroy Rumanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt James A. Deeds and crew of the 98th BG from north Africa to Ploesti, Rumania 1943.
Briefed to fly in the last wave attacking White IV they took a direct hit on the cockpit while at the target area at an estimated 250 ft. The aircraft caught fire in the bomb bay and exploded in mid air. Miraculously Lt. Foster was blown clear of the disintegrating aircraft and was able to open his chute. Only 4 bodies were recovered and identified. Lt Foster became a POW.
S/Sgt. Olenik was a Gunner on this ill fated flight. His name appears Tablets of the Missing Florence American Cemetery and Memorial Florence Provincia di Firenze
Toscana, Italy. His remains were never recovered.
Crew of KATE SMITH
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.Clifton C. FosterCo Pilot
2nd/Lt. Francis V. Montemurro Navigator
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
T/Sgt. Frank Henry Leising Engineer
T/Sgt. James M. Howie Radio Op.
S/Sgt.Donald Allison Pimlott Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph T. Cupina Gunner
S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik Gunner
S/Sgt. John Washington Potts Gunner
~
This is a Memorial Site. View burial and family links at ACTUAL BURIAL HERE.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Adolph Olenik, 19, killed during World War II, was accounted for Jan. 26, 2022.
In the summer of 1943, Olenik was assigned to the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Olenik was serving as a gunner crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
---------------------------------------------
Gunner S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik DFC MIA/KIA Remains recovered
Hometown: Gary, Ind.
Squadron: 345th BS 98th Bomb Group
Service# 15103844
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James A. Deeds DFC KIA
Target; Low level mission to destroy Rumanian Oil Fields, White IV. Ploesti.
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40991
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:N
Aircraft Name: KATE SMITH
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti
Cause: AA Crew 10 9KIA 1POW
Sgt. Adolph Olenik lost his life in action while on duty with the 98th Bomb Group for "Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the crew of 42-40991 destroy Rumanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt James A. Deeds and crew of the 98th BG from north Africa to Ploesti, Rumania 1943.
Briefed to fly in the last wave attacking White IV they took a direct hit on the cockpit while at the target area at an estimated 250 ft. The aircraft caught fire in the bomb bay and exploded in mid air. Miraculously Lt. Foster was blown clear of the disintegrating aircraft and was able to open his chute. Only 4 bodies were recovered and identified. Lt Foster became a POW.
S/Sgt. Olenik was a Gunner on this ill fated flight. His name appears Tablets of the Missing Florence American Cemetery and Memorial Florence Provincia di Firenze
Toscana, Italy. His remains were never recovered.
Crew of KATE SMITH
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.Clifton C. FosterCo Pilot
2nd/Lt. Francis V. Montemurro Navigator
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
T/Sgt. Frank Henry Leising Engineer
T/Sgt. James M. Howie Radio Op.
S/Sgt.Donald Allison Pimlott Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph T. Cupina Gunner
S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik Gunner
S/Sgt. John Washington Potts Gunner
~
This is a Memorial Site. View burial and family links at ACTUAL BURIAL HERE.
Inscription
S SGT 545 BOMF SQ 98 BOMB GP(H) INDIANA
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Indiana.
Other Records
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
