Lieutenant Colonel William E. "Pop" Dolan

Group Intelligence Officer

2nd Jan. 1943 - 6th Sept. 1945

384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

 

Serial Nr O-468972

Missions credited 384th BG - 1

Served under all 384th BG Commanders in his role as Group Intelligence Officer, and was the only Staff Officer to serve the 384th continuously from its inception through to deactivation.

 

Pop was born in Boonton, New Jersey on 27th January 1896, the second of three boys and grandson to Irish immigrants. He served as a Squadron First Sergeant and later as a pilot in the Aero (Aviation) Branch of the US Army, during WW1.

 

In 1926 Pop married Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Van Tassel, settling in Ridgewood, New Jersey. They had four sons, all of whom served in the Army Corps and USAAF during & after WW2.

 

Pop was assigned to the 384th from its formation to commence training at Wendover, Utah in 1943, alongside Budd Peaslee. He served the unit continuously throughout WW2, until September 1945. His role entailed collating and sharing all intelligence required for mission planning. Pop's age compared to the majority of the 384th personnel at Grafton Underwood led to his nickname, which eventually stuck.

 

Although his important role determined he was ground based, it is know he was a 'passenger' on a mission on 14th April 1945 to Royan, France.

 

In the course of his duties, Pop was awarded the Bronze Star, and Legion of Merit for his service as Intelligence Officer.