Theodore Felix Ulinski, Sr., father of Deborah Potter served for a total of 37 years in the US Navy. That included during World War II and inactive reserve. After attending Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, he became a government-licensed aviation mechanic. During World War II he was the In-Flight Mechanic of the B24, the Liberator. He flew with pilot Joseph Kennedy, Jr., U.S. Navy anti-submarine warfare squadron VPB-110. However, Ulinski declined the dangerous volunteer mission Operation Aphrodite that took the life of Kennedy and his Co-Pilot. The mission involved flying a drone bomber plane with 21,170 pounds of explosives and parachuting out after giving radio control to an aircraft that was following behind. Unfortunately, the bombs exploded prematurely over England, taking the life of the pilot and co-pilot.
Deborah Potter
* From the NM Veterans Caucus newsletter-used with permission
From the Frontlines to the Homefront 