in childbirth), sister Gladys Bolling Fletcher (1922–2007), a Hampton Institute and Atlanta University-trained school librarian, and brother Edward Alfonzo Bolling Jr. (1918–1997), an agriculture engineering instructor and 17-year manager of Hampton Institute's campus farm and U.S. international agricultural advisor to the federal government.
[5][4][6][7] Bolling attended all-black Whittier Elementary and Phenix High School in Hampton, Virginia.
After the family relocated to San Jose, California, Dolores taught biology at Sheppard Middle School for eight years.
[8] On July 3, 1942, Bolling graduated from the Tuskegee Flight School's Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-42-F, receiving his wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.
On July 11, 1943, his aircraft was hit by an enemy ship's anti-aircraft artillery, he bailed from his plane, landing in the Mediterranean, where he was rescued by boat after a day at sea.