Re: Help Needed: 493rd BG -- Lt. Oronzo "Otto" Sisto

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Posted By David Schmitt on December 19, 2009 at 13:53:06:

In Reply to: Help Needed: 493rd BG -- Lt. Oronzo "Otto" Sisto posted by Tim Hanley on December 19, 2009 at 07:56:14:

: All --

: My great-uncle was a man named Oronzo "Otto" R. Sisto from Chicago, IL. Mr. Sisto never had children, so I'm trying to find out some things about his time in the service. I believe he was assigned to the 493rd, possibly as a co-pilot.
:
: I have a letter from Mr Sisto written on 493rd Bomb group stationery and dated 6 May 1945. In it, he notes to his family that he had flown 22 missions, that he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and that by May 6th, they were occupied with flying food relief missions to Holland.
:
: Does anyone happen to have any advice on how I can determine if Lt. Sisto was with the 493rd, which squadron he might have been with, and even which aircraft or crew? Or do you know of any other sources of information I might check? I'd be grateful for any aid you might be able to give to confirm his assignment to the 493rd or to identify his aircraft or other crewmembers

: Thanks,

: Tim Hanley

Hello Tim,

Your great-uncle was assigned to the 493rd BG. He reported to the 493rd BG at Debach on 21 Jan 1945 with the 2nd LT Raymond F. Meyer crew and they were assigned to the 862nd BS. The crew was comprised of the following:

2nd LT Raymond F. Meyer - pilot
2nd LT Oronzo R. Sisto - co-pilot
2nd LT Roland E. Herman - navigator
2nd LT Albert L. Stewart - bombardier
Cpl Martin J. Dixon - radio operator
Cpl Walter Friedman - tail gunner
Cpl Kenneth W. Ledford - flight engineer
Cpl Bernard W. Streeter - ball turret gunner
Cpl Edlos Zimmerman - waist gunner

LT Stewart flew a few missions with this crew, then was replaced by P. S. Dorso (don't know much about him yet, but he was a "Toggler" and was likely an enlisted crewmember).

In mid-February 1945, the 862nd BS was split up. Most experienced crews went with the 862nd BS when it went to perform other functions (but, still part of the 493rd BG). The LT Meyer crew were then assigned to the 860th BS.

I know I have more information, but am now traveling and just don't have access to all my data. I will contact you directly once I get back home (after Christmas).

Have a Merry Christmas!

David Schmitt
d.schmitt@prodigy.net
son of 1st LT Donald J. Schmitt, USAAF, co-pilot
assigned to 493rd BG/863rd BS at Debach, England
from Nov 1944 thru May 1945

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Comments:: : All -- : : My great-uncle was a man named Oronzo "Otto" R. Sisto from Chicago, IL. Mr. Sisto never had children, so I'm trying to find out some things about his time in the service. I believe he was assigned to the 493rd, possibly as a co-pilot. : : : : I have a letter from Mr Sisto written on 493rd Bomb group stationery and dated 6 May 1945. In it, he notes to his family that he had flown 22 missions, that he had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and that by May 6th, they were occupied with flying food relief missions to Holland. : : : : Does anyone happen to have any advice on how I can determine if Lt. Sisto was with the 493rd, which squadron he might have been with, and even which aircraft or crew? Or do you know of any other sources of information I might check? I'd be grateful for any aid you might be able to give to confirm his assignment to the 493rd or to identify his aircraft or other crewmembers : : Thanks, : : Tim Hanley : Hello Tim, : Your great-uncle was assigned to the 493rd BG. He reported to the 493rd BG at Debach on 21 Jan 1945 with the 2nd LT Raymond F. Meyer crew and they were assigned to the 862nd BS. The crew was comprised of the following: : 2nd LT Raymond F. Meyer - pilot : 2nd LT Oronzo R. Sisto - co-pilot : 2nd LT Roland E. Herman - navigator : 2nd LT Albert L. Stewart - bombardier : Cpl Martin J. Dixon - radio operator : Cpl Walter Friedman - tail gunner : Cpl Kenneth W. Ledford - flight engineer : Cpl Bernard W. Streeter - ball turret gunner : Cpl Edlos Zimmerman - waist gunner : LT Stewart flew a few missions with this crew, then was replaced by P. S. Dorso (don't know much about him yet, but he was a "Toggler" and was likely an enlisted crewmember). : In mid-February 1945, the 862nd BS was split up. Most experienced crews went with the 862nd BS when it went to perform other functions (but, still part of the 493rd BG). The LT Meyer crew were then assigned to the 860th BS. : I know I have more information, but am now traveling and just don't have access to all my data. I will contact you directly once I get back home (after Christmas). : Have a Merry Christmas! : David Schmitt : d.schmitt@prodigy.net : son of 1st LT Donald J. Schmitt, USAAF, co-pilot : assigned to 493rd BG/863rd BS at Debach, England : from Nov 1944 thru May 1945

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