1st Lt Zwinglio W. Frausto (8th Air Force, 2nd Air Division, 453rd BG, 734 SQ.) In 1941, my Dad left college to volunteer enlist into the Army. He was initially a Cavalryman in the 112th Cavalry Regiment but since he had two years of college under his belt, he was offered the opportunity to earn his commission via a transfer to the Army Air Corps where he completed Advanced Bombardier school in Big Spring, Texas, got his Wings and Officer's Commission. He was then off to Ol' Buck where he flew 35 missions and stayed until the 453rd left England in April 1945. Along the way he got his 1st Lt Bars. He was awarded the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the European Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, The American Defense Medal and the Victory Medal. He returned to the States via New York on the ship SS Brazil. My Grandfather (my Mom's dad) had told my Dad back in 1942 when Dad first suggested he wanted to propose to my Mom, that he was not in favor of the marriage until my Dad returned safely from the war. So once he was back in the USA, my Dad wasted no time. He called from NY and officially asked my grandfather for permission, then proposed. Mom & Dad got married two weeks later while on a furlough in California on April 27, 1945. (My Mom & Dad were married nearly 54 years until Dad's passing.) Soon after a brief working/training honeymoon in Santa Monica, CA, he was then sent to Childress, TX Central Flying Training Command to prepare to fight in the Pacific Theater. But thank goodness, V-J came in August 1945 before Dad had to leave the States again. Photo property of Ernie Zwinglio Frausto