August H. Lt. Col. Dugi

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Schmidt Dugi.

He is survived by daughters, Theresa Anderson and her husband, Thomas; Melissa Haas and her husband, Frank; and Michelle Dugi and her husband, Dennis Turner; brother Alois; sisters, Anne Brandon and Rosalee Kotara; grandchildren, Brittany Dugi-Turner, Nathan Dugi-Turner, Brian Banks, TSgt Michael Kelly Banks and wife, Candace; and great-grandchildren, Brendan and Corbin Banks.

Mr. Dugi attended schools in Panna Maria, TX and San Antonio, TX. He was drafted into the military service before Pearl Harbor. After successful completion of Air Force Pilot Training, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant training to fly 'four engine' bombers. He first trained in the B-17; however, the Air Force chose to have a group of new lieutenants fly the B-24. After some additional training he was assigned a crew and a B-24 to take to the 15th Air Force Group to Italy. Upon assignment to a squadron, their first job was to pitch tents, both officers and enlisted, which remained their domiciles for the duration of their stay. He flew one or two orientation flights as a co-pilot on bombing missions, then was made pilot. On his 48th mission, he and the crew abandoned the aircraft due to uncontrollable damages. All crew members, except the co-pilot became POWS in Bucharest Romania. The co-pilot escaped landing across the Danube in Bulgaria. Prisoners in Romania were evacuated to Italy by the 15th Air Force Bombers when the Russians first occupied Romania.

After some re-training, Mr. Dugi was reassigned to MATS, Military Air Transport Service, flying four engine transports - mostly in the Pacific. He then served a two year tour as commander of the 2310 Air Transport Group, providing air transport for the Numbered Army Headquarters in the US. During his command, his unit received the Air Force Outstanding Unit award. Among the several military awards he received, the Silver Star for gallantry was the highest.

After his 23 years of military service, Mr. Dugi worked in the banking business in San Antonio for over ten years. He retired as a Vice President and Internal auditor.