Woodbury County

Lt. Vernise G. Polly

 

MEN IN SERVICE

Vernise G. Polly, son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd G. Polly, 518 Helen Street, has arrived at the army air forces bombardier school, Big Spring, Tex., for training as a bombardier cadet. He was graduated from East High school in 1937 and took part in football, basketball and baseball activities.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, May 1, 1943

Vernise Polly Listed Missing
Former Athlete at East High Fails to Return from Raid


Lieut. Vernise G. Polly, 24, is missing in action after a bomber flight over Germany on March 16, the War Department notified his wife at 3422 Orleans Avenue.

Members of the family said Monday night that Lieut. Polly probably was on his 20th bombing mission, as they recently had a letter from him dated march 11, stating he had just completed his 19th mission. He was bombardier on a Flying Fortress and was in the famous raid over Schweinfurt, Germany, in which his plane was badly damaged, forcing a crash landing in England.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd G. Polly, 518 S. Helen Street, Lieut. Polly was a 1937 graduate of East High School where he was prominent in football, basketball and track.

He enlisted in August, 1941, trained at Ellington field, Tex., and was graduated from the training school at Big Springs, Texas in June, 1943. He arrived in England October 1, 1943. He was awarded the air medal with oak leaf cluster about two months ago.

Lieut. Polly and Ellen Washburn, a Sioux Cityan, were married at Big Springs in June 1943. Living in Sioux City, besides his wife and parents, are a brother, F. Roger Polly, and two sisters, Mrs. Mildred Keil and Mrs. Myrtle Larsen.

Source:  The Sioux City Journal, April 4, 1944 (photo included)

Lt. Vernise Polly, East High Athlete, Freed from Nazis

Lt. Vernise G. Polly, a German prisoner of war who was held in stalag luft 7, has been liberated, according to a telegram received Monday by his wife who lives at 3422 Orleans avenue.

Lt. Polly was reported missing in action after a bomber flight over, Germany on March 16, 1944.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd G. Polly, 518 S. Helen street, he was a 1937 graduate of East high school where he was prominent in football, basketball and track. He entered service in August, 1941, trained at Ellington field, Tex., and was graduated from the training school at Big Springs, Tex., in June, 1943. Hs arrived in England on October 1, 1943.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, May 29, 1945