Source: Sagen, Ervin P., Sgt., Air Corps, Squadron Historian. “War Diary of 75?th Bomb Squadron (H).” Historical Records, 30 June 1944. Reel B0607, Microfilm 1138-1145

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WAR DIARY OF 759TH BOMB SQUADRON (HV)
Sgt. Ervin P. Sagen
Northwood, N. Dak.

June 1944
June 1– The dawn of a new cycle in our life in Italy, for summer had come, with its warm weather — and mosquitoes. The medical department, under the direction of Capt. Earl S. Vetter, launched a new campaign against this fifth column ally of Adolph Hitler — and new and more artistic pictures were posted on the medical bulletin board, with tales of the horrors of this same dread mosquito. Lo, and behold, he who passes by without the Atabrine (quinacrine) pill these days, shall be made to swallow twice as many on the morrow. 2nd Lt Paul B. Ansen, 2nd Lt. Jared ?. Baker, Sgt. Alva O. Adams Jr., and S/Sgt John ?. Denn, were transferred to the 758th Bomb Squadron (HV). One of our cooks, Donald H. Roseboom, went to the hospital.

June 2–2nd Lt. Lawrence Rafferty and his combat crew joined our squadron today. We made another trip to Darletta and restocked our empty larders at the ?.?. Club with that well known Italian joy juice-vino. Sgt. Howard Collins…

June 3—The new flagpole in front of Headquarters was raised, and ready to be packed solidly to withstand the ravages of Italia’s windy days. Sgt. Gail L. Devinne and Pvt. Robert E. Wilder, were wounded in today’s mission, and were taken to the hospital. Nine planes went and completed the mission.

S E C R E T
WAR DIARY OF 759TH BOMB SQUADRON (HV)
Sgt. Ervin P. Sagen
Northwood, N. Dak.

June 4—2nd Lt. James E. Rose, the proud papa who didn’t know whether he had a boy, a girl or twins, was sent to Algiers on D.O. Nine planes went on today’s mission and all successfully completed it.

June 5—Cpl. Joe Palumbo and Pvt. Alfego Telles were classified as cooks, but the quality of our mess made no changes otherwise. Lt. William J. Toerb and his combat crew joined our squadron.

June 6—The American Flag was first raised in this squadron area. Major Warren called ‘Attention’, 1st Lt ?????, ?????, ?????, ????? Deaton, S/Sgt. Ruffus Ketchum, and T/Sgt Socartes Wouplos carried the flag forward and slowly raised it – to wave continually over the squadron area. The news of the day – opening of the second front in western Europe—, In Foggia today I had my first ride in a one horse taxi, and found it to be a restful and enjoyable way of seeing the sights in the city.

June 7—1st. Lt. James L. Deaton, wearied from the cares thrust upon him as squadron 1st soldier, departed today for rest camp. With him went Joe Sabielski, the medical corporal with 45 missions to his credit, carrying gas bombs against the dreaded malaria mosquito. Cpl. Joe Crittendon also went with them and they repaired their tired bodies and souls to San Spirato. Our weary officers, Capt. Smallwood Hargis, 1st Lt. John Cursick and 1st Lt. Henry P. Little were sent to Villagio Mancuso Rest Camp. Lt. Fenner, Lt. Goldberg, Lt. Burke, T/Sgt. LaParre, T/Sgt Nice, S/Sgt. Larson, S/Sgt K. Schriber, S/Sgt Clancy, and T/Sgt. Church were sent to the Capri’s rest camp….

S E C R E T
WAR DIARY OF 759TH BOMB SQUADRON (HV)
Sgt. Ervin P. Sagen
Northwood, N. Dak.

… For a few days of love and forgetfulness on the Isle of dreams. Ralph J. Davis was promoted to 1st Lt.  Eight of our planes set forth and completed the missions today. In all this excitement, T/Sgt. Socartes Wouplos was chosen to act as the 1st Sgt. for the week.

June 8–Sgt. Otteman was sent to the hospital. Lt. Markman and his crew had a very close call in today’s combat mission, coming back in their plane “Lucky Gremlin” with a 20mm shell in the ball turret, tail guns shot out of commission, hydraulic system shot out, jammed bomb bay doors, electrical wires hit, causing a fire, and a spent shell between the pilot and co-pilot, but without a single member of the crew receiving a scratch. This was the 22nd mission for the crew.
Harvest began in our area today — the main work being done by the women. S/Sgts. Harmon and Dooley were volunteer helpers.

June 9–Nine planes went out on today’s mission. Lt. Ferguson and Lt. Paschal, with their crews, became missing in action.
Sgt. Ernest H. Koerner and S/Sgt. James a Jenkins, were each credited with shooting down one ?-100 enemy fighter. 2nd Lt. James was promoted to 1st Lt.

June 10—The medics, under the direction of Pfc Sigler, built a pre-station in the privy room in Sgt. Kummel’s and Sgt. Meier’s office. Business was on the up grade. Pfc Kano was transferred from S-2, and became a handy man between the mail room and the orderly room.

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June 11—”Chicken” for supper. This overshadowed all else.

June 12—Sgt. Deaton returned from rest camp and went early to bed for a full night of sleep. He was still tired. Lt. Cliett, Lt. Havard and Lt. E.P. Williams went to the rest camp. Sgt. Kasprzyk and Pfc. Frank used the weapons carrier, and an oil spreader which their ingenuity had devised and oiled the area around the mess hall.

June 13—Ten planes took off and completed todays mission. Sgt. Dan Harris was wounded and sent to the hospital. In town today the gala event was the Feast of San Antonio—with music and religious parades—and collections for the feast. 2nd Lt. Donald K. Bonnet substituted as gunner for a short period and was credited with shooting down an ME-109.

June 14—Lt. Pollock after being attacked by enemy fighters in the Alps had to turn back and make a forced landing at a Spitfire landing field in northern Italy. The plane had to be crash landed and was on fire before they hit the ground. The navigator, Lt. Risek was killed in the crash and Sgt. ?achado was severely burned. All other escaped with slight injuries. An abundance of mail came in.

June 15—Sgt. Wm. Whittington went to the hospital.

June 16—We all turned in our woolen clothing. Many different rumors quickly spread thru camp as to the reason for this act but no one seemed to hit the nail on the head. The new building for the enlisted men’s Club was first used this eve. Sgt. Gail E. Ling was credited with shooting down one ME-109.

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Eleven planes took off this morning and Lt. Young with his crew, became MIA. Lt. Andrews went to the hospital.

June 17—F/O Painter was promoted to 2nd Lt. Sgt. Attaway, Cpl. Kelly and Sgt. Pope went to San Spirato rest camp. Major Warren’s pal “Lady”, who came all the way from the states was given a bath by staff sergeant Ketchum and Pfc Russel and in her canine way, seemed to enjoy the procedure. It rained.

June 18—The new E.M. Club was officially opened with orchestra and “mucho vino”. The club was also reorganized with Sgt. Alfred Hess as president, Sgt. David E. Deaver, Vice president, Sgt. Ervin P. Sagen, Sec. Treas., and Sgt. George Sweifel, Sgt. Frank Pykus, Sgt. Stanislaus Kasprazyk, Sgt. Andrew Moore and Cpl. Loften Smith as Board of Governors. 2nd Lt. Rafferty was promoted to 1st Lt.

19 June—Capt. Masterson, Lt. Ziegler and ??? Campbell went to Vellagio Mancuso Rest Camp. Lt. Sparger. Lt. Liddle, Lt. Groves, Lt. Dellert, Sgt. ??aler, Sgt. ?e??otti, Sgts, Waite and ?ade Goad, and Sgts. Hirem and Frederic Calkins went to Capri rest camp. Sgt. Mike Bachado was transferred to the osptial. Lt. Havard was promoted to Capt.

June 20—The “Bombshells” made music and six Red Cross Girls paid us a visit at the E. M. Club. Lt. Arther D. Morgan and crew joined us.

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June 21—”Hear ye, hear ye” — Sgt. Anthony Benkis took a pass and went to town but in the meantime he called back several times to see if Sgt. Rubenstein kept the boys “on the ball”.

June 22—F/O Osborne was promoted to 2nd Lt. Ten planes went out and completed today’s mission. Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded to 2nd Lt. Francis Je Breen, and Lt. William F Paper III, F/O J. Philip Painter, S/Sgt. Arthur D. Broogemeier, S/Sgt. James A. Jenkins, S/Sgt. James ?. Jorgensen, S/Sgt. Edward ?. Keough and Pvt John F Pike, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight on 26 April 1944, after a mid air collision in which they lost the tail turret and tail turret gunner Michael Maloney (S/Sgt) and were able to bring their ship safely to base after dropping their bombs on enemy targets. The same day, T/Sgt. Robert G. Church, T/Sgt Lawrence ?. LaBarre, and S/Sgt. Charles J. Larson, were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in serial flight on 28 March 1944, when the had to raise the bomb bay doors by physics 1 power, perched on the icy catwalk in sub-zero weather. To date, this squadron was leading in awards presented.

June 23— A dust storm was the biggest news.

June 24— Lt. Hoff and his crew made a forced landing in Pescara. Lt. Levine and his crew ditched in the Adriatic. Lt. Bosch and Lt. Rytter were killed in the ditching. Eight planes completed the mission and returned to home base.

June 25— Sgt. Rubenstein sent a cable gram to his sister, marked “Sans Origine”, and she got the happy thought that she knew his exact location. Failing to find the place on the map, she took the telegram to her hairdresser, and found that it meant “without origin”.

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Lt. ?ar?man and his crew made a forced landing at Corsica, and had a pleasant few days, while waiting for their plane to be repaired.

June 26— Lt. ?. Williams, Lt. Osborn, Lt. Ohl, Lt. Burn, Lt. ??toli, Lt. Henderson, Lt. ?unard, Lt. Frasier, Lt. Graver, Lt. Cawley, Lt. Rich, Lt. Candy, Lt. ?ur???n, Lt.  ?ollert, Lt. Groves, and Lt. ?iddle were promoted to 1st lieutenant. Ten planes left for the target and all successfully made the round trip.

June 27—Pvt. (Bowen? Norman?) was transferred to the 758th squadron. Lt. Janker was promoted to 1st Lt.

June 28—Lt. ?arman and his crew returned from Corsica. Lt. Breed, and ?/Sgt Rowh went to the hospital. ?? planes successfully made today’s mission.

June 29—We had our first American beer since we arrived here. Each enlisted man was allowed three cans.

June 30—Pay Day – Physical inspection day.