Posted:
By: L.A.Mitchell
On: 01/19/2004
|
Here is my response re Steve Lozinski as sent to blemski@yahoo .com...Steve Lozinsi wa in 615th Sqdn and I remembered hi well as a very fine guy.He was among several (myself included) who, when they had finished 25 missions when to tour had been raised to 30,were offered a 30 day leave AT HOME in the U>S...travel and waiting time did not count.BUT ...when they returned to the ETO, they had to do a complete tour of 30 more missions. When I returned to the ETO, I starte on that 30 more missions deal that I had promised to do. Aftr only 4 missions (this was after D-Day) I was told I could bereleased from my promise and go home OR I could stayand do the 30 and be promoted to Captain . I chose to come HOME .Steve opted to stay and was promoted to captain nd started on that second tour.
On the 9th missionof the second tour,they were hit by flak in th nose of the airplane at 27000 feet,blowing off the nose, and breaking the aircraft in two at the waist and breaking off the wings. Harold Hughes was blown out th nose and th co-pilot (a Major Pfund on his first mission)parachuted out, was found alive butsevrely wounded. He died the next day.
Paul Campbell (leading the mission with Clyde Lewis) saw the hit. Many years later he happened to run across Hughes and of course was very much surprised to do so. Paul Campbell lives in Fargo,ND (701)352-0783. He can give you more info. L.A.Mithell
|