Army Badge
  • Name: Mirko Dotlich
  • Location of Birth: Bovey, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: August 10, 1920
  • Date of Death: September 7, 2016
  • Parents: Mike Dotlich & Sophie (Revior) Dotlich
  • High School and Class: 1940 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: PFC (Private First Class)
  • Branch: Army
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: 1942
  • Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Date of Discharge: January 20, 1946
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: Mirko Dotlich
    Race: White
    Age: 21
    Birth Date: August 10, 1920
    Birth Place: Bovey, Minnesota
    Residence Place: Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota
    Registration Date: 1940
    Employer: Not working
    Weight: 150
    Height: 5-8
    Complexion: Light
    Eye Color: Blue
    Hair Color: Brown
    Other characteristic: Birthmark on right arm
    Next of Kin: Mike Dotlich, Bovey, Minnesota

    Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - September 25, 1942 - "Dear Bovey Service Club: I am sorry I haven't written sooner, because I do appreciate the fine diary and the card and paper you have sent me. I sure missed being with you on Farmer's Day, but there is a job to be done here, and if we all buckle down all of us boys will be there next year. I enjoyed reading about it in the paper and for a moment almost thought I was there. Well, your card suggested that I had dishwater hands, but I have been lucky on K.P., and haven't had to wash dishes yet. I have been sick with a sore throat, but am well and happy now. Hope to hear from you again. One of the Boys, Pvt. Mirko Dotlich."

    Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – November 27, 1942 – “Dear Mr. Clem: Because of my change in address I never received your card until today so will answer right away. It made me glad to know you are dropping a card to all of us boys to let us know you haven’t forgotten us. My basic training only lasted four weeks, all and more of which I learned at Fort Snelling in the C.M.T.C. For the past eight weeks I have gone to supply school where I obtained a lot of knowledge about the Army and also received a diploma with an “Excellent” rating. You mentioned this training would make a man of me. Well, when it comes to the physical end, I held down a tougher job for the mining company, than it is here, even if Warren is a tough place for basic. I feel very fortunate to have gotten into the Quartermaster Corp. Most of the men here were business managers, owners of large department stores and a lot of salesmen and buyers for large companies. Well, there isn’t much more to say, except I expect to leave here in the near future. Sincerely, Mirko Dotlich.”

    Newspaper article – Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – December 18, 1942 –“Dear Horace: I was glad to hear from you and I only have a short time to write a few lines, as we are about to take off. I am taking this opportunity to thank the Service Club and also the Girl Scouts for the Christmas package. I had to open it because I was afraid it would be a mess before the boat landed. A couple of papers sent to me in Wyoming haven’t caught up to me yet, but I got the paper of the 27th. Please send the paper to the same address. Will write later, Mirko Dotlich.”

    Newspaper article – Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – January 15, 1943 – “Dear Mom: Well, I have finally settled down. You might as well say I joined the army yesterday, because my previous training doesn’t mean a darn thing. I’m in the signal corps assigned to the air corps and have nothing to do with the Quartermaster training I’ve had. It was just like joining the army. We had an interview today, but I haven’t any idea what kind of work I will be doing. Of course, this is typical of the army; doing things backwards. We had quite a time breaking coconuts a couple of days ago and they sure were good. The chow is better than in the states. I haven’t received any letters here yet. Write soon and send air mail – it doesn’t take as long. Other mail comes by boat and is slow. I sent a cablegram to let you know I had got here O.K. Mirko Dotlich.”


  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Mirko Dotlich died in Coleraine, Minnesota and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, Minnesota. He is survived by his son, William; two brothers; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Linda; three brothers; and three sisters.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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