Lt(jg) Dighton L. Polan
U.S. Navy (USN), Patrol Squadron 91 (VP-91)
PBY Catalina Pilot Missing In Action (MIA)

Background
Dighton Lewis Polan was born December 10, 1917 to parents Herbert L. Polan and Adeline S. Poland in Kansas. His father was a church clergyman and his mother a home maker. Later, the family moved to Brookfield, Madison County, New York. After high school, he attended Alfred University where he played basketball and was the varsity center. After graduation, he moved to Galway, Saratoga County, New York as a social studies, physical education teacher and coached the boy's basketball team. In 1939, he was an assistant scoutmaster at Galway Union Free School until he enlisted in the military. He married Edith Jane.

Wartime History
On December 11, 1940 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve (USNR) in New York, NY as a Seaman 2nd Class (Sea2c) with serial number 4038155. During his Navy service, he and his wife moved to 9116 97th Street Woodhaven in Jamaica, NY. In February 1941 at NAS Jacksonville. In March 1941 at Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Brooklyn NY. He became an aviation cadet at NAS Pensacola class 2C-41-J. During October 1941 he earned his wings and was commissioned as an Ensign with serial number O-099923. Later, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade and sent overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC). Assigned to Patrol Squadron 91 (VP-91) as a PBY Catalina pilot.

Mission History
On October 15, 1942 took off piloting PBY-5 Catalina 04507 from Peou Bay (Pallu Passage) off Vanikoro Island (Vanikolo) on a patrol and planned to then land at Espiritu Santo. During the patrol, intercepted by carrier based A6M2 Zeros and shot down. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Polan was officially declared dead on December 4, 1945. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Polan is memorialized at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 1. When lost, he was the first individual to die from Galway, NY in World War II.

References
NARA U.S. Census 1930 Madison County, New York, Brookfield Township, Brookfield village Sheet 2A - Polan, Dighton L.
The Flight Jacket 1941 (Yearbook of NAS Pensacola) page 144 (class 2C-41-J photos)
Galway Piper 1943 (Yearbook of Galway High School tribute to Polan) "a man of high ideals and who lived his life clean and did his duty in whatever field he engaged. Skilled in athletic, music and an understanding of human nature, he won the admiration..."
NARA U.S. Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Brooklyn, NY March 1941 - Polan, Dighton L.
NARA US, Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945 Dighton L. Polan
NARA catalog title: State Summary of War Casualties from World War II for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Personnel from New York, 1946 page 58 (Poland, Dighton Lewis)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Dighton L. Polan
FindAGrave - LtJg Dighton L Polan (photos, courts of the missing)
Galway 1900–1949 A Photographic History (2014) includes a profile of Dighton L. Polan
DPAA Unaccounted-for Remains, Group B, 1941-1975 - Polan, Dighton L death country Vanuatu [sic Solomon Islands]

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