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Steven Lozinski
1/18/2004 12:54:10 PM | Growing up as a kid, I always had a love for the B-17. After talking to my grandfather once about the B-17, he informed me that his brother used to fly B-17s over Germany during WWII. Since then I have been searching for any and all information on my great uncle, Captain Stephen J. Lozinski. He was in the 401st BG 615 Squadron, shot down on Feb 16th 1945 over Gelsenkirchen Germany. However, As much factual information as I have gathered I still feel as if there is a personal side of my uncle that is missing, and was hoping that someone could tell me a little bit about him. If you can provide any information on Stephen J. Lozinski, or if there is a question that I might be able to answer please email me at lozinski1@netzero.com.
Thank you,
Steven Lozinski
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Arthur R. Seder, Jr
1/19/2004 12:51:24 PM | Welcome to the 401st Forum! As you probably gathered from the crew lists on the web site, Stephen Lozinski flew his first 22 missions with one crew. At that point he was assigned to a lead crew position and promoted to Captain. He then flew his last nine missions as a lead. Only one of his original crew, the bombardier, Harold E. Hughes, transferred with him to the lead crew. The others no doubt completed their tours with another pilot.
Lt. Hughes was the lone survivor of Capt. Lozinski's crew when it was shot down over Gelsenkirchen. He is deceased, but his widow is a member of the Association. Of Capt. Lozinski's original crew, his co-pilot, Eldon R. Child, and his ball turret gunner, James F. Keller, are members of the association. I will e-mail you the addresses of these individuals, who may be able to provide you with more information about Capt. Lozinski.
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L.A.Mitchell
1/19/2004 3:26:42 PM | 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
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Ed Login
1/19/2004 10:39:01 PM | Hi LA I sent you an email Re: Capt Lozinski. Hope you got it
Ed Login
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Linda
1/20/2004 1:27:21 AM | Thanks, Mr. L.A. Mitchell! Since finding this website 2 weeks ago, I have been overwhelmed by all the information about Uncle Steve. I have passed this website along to a couple cousins as you can tell! Have been in contact with Mr. Child but have not gotten up the courage to call Paul Campbell yet.
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Valerie Conley McAlister
1/20/2004 8:31:54 AM | Linda:
Call him! He would probably love to hear from you and furthermore, you never know if it will be too late to call him! You will regret it if you don't -- I know!
Valerie Conley McAlister
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l.a.mitchell
1/20/2004 8:25:40 PM | Linda, Paul Campbell is a very obliging person and I promise you that he wll welcome any questions you may have about Steve and the time he was in the ETO.He and Clyde Lewis were leading the Group that fateful day and Steve was flying off their wing. So they had a good view of the hit. L.A.Mitchell
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Barb ( Lozinski) Fouse
1/21/2004 9:10:23 PM | Hi Linda This is what I did The 19th when I saw Steve was in the forum. Let me know if you get this e-mail
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