Mirko Dotlich
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Mirko Dotlich served in World War II in the Atlantic and the Pacific.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from July 18, 1942, until January 10, 1946 and was assigned to the 1714 Signal Service Company.
He served in the Atlantic, in Trinidad, as part of the defense of Allied shipping from German U-boat attacks. He also served in the Pacific, in the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa.
Mr. Dotlich was stationed overseas and made his way home by taking one bus, five trains, three airplanes, and four boats.
Mirko Dotlich was born in 1920 in Bovey, Minnesota, the son of Sophie and Mike Dotlich.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran’s account (see below)
"Never stationed in States. Transportation: bus (1), train (5), air (3), boat (4). Homebound had to have 100 points to get 1st boat out of Okinawa. I had 97 with 1 Battle Star, so was on the next one. Cities – Minneapolis – Cheyenne – New Orleans – Port of Spain – Miami – Sacramento – Salt Lake City – San Francisco – Honolulu – Naha – Seattle – Camp McCoy – St. Paul."
Source: Duluth News Tribune:
Mirko Dotlich, 96, died on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 in Home & Comfort, Coleraine. At Mirko's request, there will be no services. Interment will be at the Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine.
