Skip to content
Peter "Pete" Mike Dimich
Jeremy Anderson2021-03-08T14:53:32-06:00
- Name: Peter "Pete" Mike Dimich
- Location of Birth: Itasca County, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: July 13, 1923
- Date of Death: January 14, 1999
- Parents: Mike Dimich & Rose (Sterkovich) Dimich
- High School and Class: 1941 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
- College:
- Highest Rank: T SGT (Technical Sergeant)
- Branch: Army
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: November 19, 1942
- Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date of Discharge: September 29, 1945
- Place of Discharge:
-
- Military Awards:
Air Medal
5 Oak Leaf Clusters
3 Bronze Stars
- Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: Minnesota
Name: Peter Mike Dimich
Race: White
Age: 18
Birth Date: July 13, 1923
Birth Place: Bovey, Minnesota
Residence Place: Lawrence Lake Township, Itasca, Minnesota
Registration Date: June 30, 1942
Employer: Pickens [sp] Mather, Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota
Weight: 150
Height: 5-10
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Mike Dimich, Bovey, Minnesota
WW II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Peter M. Dimich
Birth Year: 1923
Race: White
Native State or Country: Minnesota
State of Residence: Minnesota
County or City: Itasca
Enlistment Date: November 19, 1942
Enlistment State: Minnesota
Enlistment City: Fort Snelling
Branch: Air Corps
Branch Code: Air Corps
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Army of the United States – includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of ...
Source: Civil life
Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Mechanics, repairers, airplane
Marital status: Single, without dependents
Height: 68
Weight: 153
Newspaper article – Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – January 8, 1943 – “Bovey Service Men’s Club: I wish to thank you for the Christmas gift that I received from you. I appreciate it very much. I, like the rest of the boys in the armed forces, was unable to get home for Christmas this year. But that doesn’t bother most of us, because we know that there is a job to do and that job is to make “Peace on Earth”, and after we do that, we’ll be home for “Merrier Christmases” than we ever had before. There is only one thing I want to say in closing; that is thanks again, and to you on the home front, I want to say this. “You buy the Bonds and we will drop the Bombs.” I want to wish you all a Happy new Year. Private Peter M. Dimich.”
Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – April 2, 1943 - “To the Bovey Press: I’m writing you this letter to notify you of my new address so you can send me the paper. I want to thank the Press and all who are responsible for the paper reaching us, the boys in Service. I sure appreciate the Press very much and wish to thank you. It sure is swell to receive the Press. In fact, it’s about the best a man in the service can receive – his home town paper. I have completed my Technical School training now, and am working on the planes, out on the line. I enjoy this work, but, the only thing that does not agree with me is this California Desert. Talk about hot, that’s just what it is here. All there is here is sand and more sand. I hope to get a furlough soon, which I hope I can. I sure would like to visit good old Bovey again. If you ask me, that’s God’s Country. I also think I’ll visit Los Angeles and the Hollywood Canteen while I’m here. We are allowed a 3-day pass once a month. There really isn’t much more to say except thanks again for the paper. I really enjoy reading it, and I want to wish all the boys the best of luck in the world, and here’s hoping we’re all back in Bovey soon. A Service Man, Pfc, Peter M. Dimich.”
Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – December 31, 1943 – “Las Vegas, Nevada, November 25, 1943. To the Service Club: I got your letter a few weeks ago, and was very glad to hear from you and good old Bovey. I’ve been busy lately, and still am, so I only have a few minutes to drop you a few lines and answer your request for a Christmas greeting to the people of Bovey. I sure hope you all had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving day and meal. We sure had a swell dinner here. I thought of Bovey and home, as I guess all the fellows did. By the way, how was deer season this year? Swell, I bet – only no shells. There isn’t much to say. I will be leaving here in less than two weeks. Then I hope to get my 15-day furlough, and see all you folks again. Probably will spend Christmas at home. I sure hope so. By the way, I met Danny Gareri down here a few days ago. Well, lots of luck and hope to see you all soon. Sincerely, Sgt. Peter M. Dimich.”
Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – September 1, 1944 – “Somewhere in England, August 13, 1944. The Bovey Press and Ann: Just a few lines to let you know I’m feeling fine and would like to say “Hello” to everyone back in good old Bovey. I’m now in the European Theater of operators working in and with the Army Air Force, enjoy my work, and having plenty of fun. I am sending you my new address so I will receive the Press, and in the meantime, wish to thank all of you, especially Ann, for the good work, and our home town for the good work they are doing for us away from home. Sure enjoyed the trip over. In fact, I got here on my birthday and, by the way, thanks a million for the card. It was swell. This country, what I’ve seen of it, is sure nice, only the money system is kinda hard to catch on to. When on pass to London, I visited the Buckingham Palace, St. Paul Cathedral, Scotland Yard, and many more interesting places. Again, thanks for the birthday card, and that’s about all for this time. Will be looking for the paper in the near future. Sure hope you all enjoy Bovey Farmer’s Day. I guess most of us will miss it again. I hope this is the last year we do. Lots of luck to all, T-Sgt. Peter M. Dimich.”
Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – September 8, 1944 – “An Air Service Command Station in England – T-Sgt. Peter M. Dimich, the son of Mike Dimich of Route 2, Bovey, recently completed an orientation course designed to bridge the gap between training in the States and combat soldiering against the enemy in France. At this air service command station, T-Sgt. Dimich attended a series of lectures by battle-wise veterans which included instructions on chemical warfare defense and pertinent tips on staying healthy in a combat theatre. His next station will be one from which America’s fighting planes cover our liberation of Occupied Europe. Before entering the Army Air Forces, he was employed by the Balkan Mining Co. at Bovey.”
Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – October 27, 1944 – “AWARDED AIR MEDAL – An Eighth Air Force Bomber Station, England – Technical Sergeant Peter M. Dimich, son of Mike Dimich, Bovey, has been awarded the Air Medal for “meritorious achievement” while participating in sustained combat operations over enemy occupied continental Europe, it recently was announced by the commanding General of the Eighth Air Force. The citation accompanying the award read in part: “The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this enlisted man upon these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.” T-Sgt. Dimich, engineer gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, received his training at Chanute Field, Ill., Seattle, Wash., and Las Vegas, Nevada. He was graduated from Greenway High School in 1941. Before entering the Army November 19, 1942, he was employed by the Balkan Mining Co., Bovey.”
Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota – November 10, 1944 – “An Air Service Command Station, Somewhere in England – T-Sgt. Peter M. Dimich, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Dimich of Bovey, recently enjoyed a “recess” from serial warfare at an Air Service Command Rest Home – a remodeled English manor house where America’s airmen who provide aerial cover for the advancing Allied Armies in France may relax between missions. Here, T-Sgt. Dimich put on sports clothes and lounged in the restful atmosphere of an old country home complete with butler, tea in bed, and every type of recreational facility. American atmosphere and all the touches of “home” are provided by the American Red Cross, co-partners with the Air Service Command in the operation of the Rest Home. After 7 days he went back to his combat station ready to play his part once again in the air battle supporting the Allied march. T-Sgt. Dimich has completed 22 missions over Nazi-dominated Europe. Before entering the Army he was employed by the Balkan Mining Co.”
Newspaper article: February 1945 – “T-Sgt. Peter M. Dimich, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Dimich, Bovey, has arrived home for a 21-day furlough after completing 35 missions over enemy territory with the U.S. army Eighth air force in England as an engineer-gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. He has received the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, and three bronze stars on the campaign ribbon.”
- Wars Involved:
World War II
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Pete Dimich served in the Army Air Corps in Europe and flew 35 missions as tail gunner in B-17s. He was parts manager for Swanson Motors in Grand Rapids from 1951-1980; owned & operated GTC Auto Parts in Grand Rapids from 1980 until retiring in 1994.
Pete died in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife, Fran; daughter, Tonica Ziemer; son, John; sister, Rose Jackson; brother, Nick; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruby Delich and a brother, Mike.
- Tribal Affiliation(s):
Page load link