Zwinglio W Frausto

Military
media-5617.jpeg UPL 5617 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 Z W Frausto Collection

EZ Frausto collection

Object Number - UPL 5617 - 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...

In 1941, my Dad left college, where he was on the track team, to volunteer enlist into the Army a few months prior to Pearl Harbor Day. He was initially a Cavalryman in the 112th Cavalry Regiment but since he had two years of college, he was offered the opportunity to earn his commission via a transfer to the Army Air Corps. He completed Advanced Bombardier school in Big Spring, Texas, got his Wings and Officer's Commission. He was then off to the European Theater of Ops at 'Ol Buck where he flew 35 missions and stayed until the 453rd left England in April 1945. He told us many fun stories including that he traded the fifths of whiskey he was given before missions for fresh eggs at breakfast. He shared how he loved being able to give candy, gum and other goodies to the town's children, partly because he remembered what it was like for him during the Great Depression when he was a young boy.

He shared with us that in January 1945, returning from a mission, enemy flak knocked out one of the engines of the aircraft they were flying which rendered landing gear inoperable. He was effusive in his praise of the crew's pilots who were able to guide the aircraft to liberated Belgium and crash land safely; all the crew got out without a scratch even though the aircraft was totaled. He had done well with French in high school school so everyone was grateful that he was able to serve as interpreter for the crew as they accepted the hospitality of the Belgian citizenry while they awaited extraction and the return trip to England.

Along the way my Dad got his 1st Lt Bars. He was also awarded the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the European Campaign Medal with four 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 he 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 officially asked my grandfather for permission, then proposed and 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. My Dad was active in the VFW, The Mighty 8th Air Force events, and the 453rd group. He and my Mom were fortunate to visit 'Ol Buck on one of the 8th Air Force's reunions and was glad he got to reconnect with the 453rd Group Operations Officer, Jimmy Stewart.

Zwinglio died 12th February 1999

Connections

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Units served with

Colonel Larry Thomas of the 453rd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Col Larry Thomas 453BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50441) nicknamed "Hollywood and Vine" of the 453rd Bomb Group in flight. Image via S. Lester Kitts. Written on slide casing: 'E8:l, 250441, 734 BS, Hollywood and Vine. 9/44.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Hollywood & Vine
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Leave Us Face It
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron

Places

Revisions

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family history

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453rd BG newsletter Sept. 1999

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Corrected a typo in the "Summary biography" - “were” was misspelled.

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personal

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Family History courtesy Ernie Zwinglio Frausto

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Family History, courtesy Ernie Zwinglio Frausto

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Courtesy Ernie Zwinglio Frausto

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Courtesy Ernie Zwinglio

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Courtesy Ernie Zwinglio Frausto

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Photo Courtesy Ernie Zwinglio Frausto

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Photo Courtesy Ernie Zwinglio Frausto

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Courtesy Ernie Zwinglio Frausto

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Photo Courtesy Ernie Zwinglio Frausto

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Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / The Liberator Men of Old Buc, Page 268 in the book SECOND AIR DIVISION by Turner Publishing Co, 1998 edition

Zwinglio W Frausto: Gallery (15 items)