World War II Honoree

Roman Matthew Orzechowski

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Swansea, Massachusetts

Honored By

E. Virginia Orzechowski

Relationship

Wife

RE-ENLISTED IN U.S. AIR FORCE IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS; 1940. ASSIGNED TO 1ST RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON (H), 34TH BOMB GROUP AT LANGLEY FIELD, VIRGINIA. WHEN WAR WAS DECLARED ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, WAS SENT TO THE WEST COAST FOR PATROL DUTY OUT OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. THREE MONTHS LATER, REJOINED SQUADRON AND GROUP AT ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO. SENT TO ENGLAND AND FOR 2 YEARS, HELPED CARRY OUT THE MISSION AS LINE CHIEF. THEN WENT TO RUSSIA ON A MISSION AND WAS STATIONED THERE FOR 5 MONTHS, AFTER THAT, RETURNED TO THE U.S. IN LANGLEY FIELD, VIRGINIA. WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED 1 YEAR LATER IN 1945. RE-ENLISTED AND ASSIGNED TO WESTOVER AIR BASE. REMAINED THERE FOR 6 MONTHS AND WAS THEN SENT OVERSEAS TO PARIS, FRANCE. REMAINED FOR A YEAR AND HEADED TO FRANKFORT, GERMANY. ASSIGNED AS LINE CHIEF. PULLED TURN AROUND INSPECTIONS ON C-54 AIRCRAFT AND SEND THEM BACK TO WESTOVER FIELD. AFTER A YEAR IN GERMANY, RETURNED TO THE U.S. AND SENT TO LOCKHEED AIRCRAFT SERVICE SCHOOL TO BE A FLIGHT ENGINEER ON THE C-121 CONSTELLATION. ASSIGNED TO THE RUN BETWEEN WESTOVER AND GERMANY, ICELAND AND AZORES.