Career
Polich joined the United States Army Air Corps from Crosby, Minnesota, beginning as an enlisted man assigned to the Coastal Artillery in San Diego, California. He later became a pilot and earned his wings in October 1943 as he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Lieutenant Polich and his crew flew many missions in their B-17 Flying Fortress based at the Royal Air Force Chelveston being assigned to the 8th Air Force, 365th Bombardment Squadron, 305th Air Mobility Wing - then called the 305th Bomb Group (Heavy).
On the 29th mission - a bombing run on the Leona Oil Works in Germany, Lieutenant
Polich and his crew were shot down, soon finding themselves as prisoners of war. After being captured in Germany, Lieutenant
Polich was first brought to a German hospital, then later confined in Stalag Luft III. Early in 1945 Polich, along with many other prisoners of war were transferred to Stalag VII-A, near Moosburg, Germany. On April 29, 1945 the Prisoner Of War camp was liberated by the 14th Armored Division.
Captain Polich, Senior retired from the Air Force in 1966 after 22 years of service.
He died on September 30, 2015 at the age of 94.
