78th Fighter Group
78th Fighter Group
Personal pictures, stories and web "links" submitted by 78th Fighter Group veterans, family and friends.
_2nd. Lt. Lonnie L. Moseley, 84th Fighter Squadron, 6-26-44 to 7-4-44, Evader
2nd. Lt. Lonnie L. Moseley, 84th Fighter Squadron, during a mission on 7-4-44, bailed out over France after his engine froze. He successfully evaded capture for several months returning to Duxford. (Source Credit: Lonnie L. Moseley Collection)
Lonnie LeRoy Moseley was born on April 7, 1921 in Silsbee, Texas. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in September, 1941, received his wings and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was married to Carrol Cottam prior to his enlistment. He was assigned in the ETO to the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, on June 26, 1944. On 7-4-44, during a mission in support of bombers attacking targets in France, Lt. Moseley's P-47, WZ-L, s/n 43-25529, developed an oil loss over Paris. His engine froze and he bailed out close to the ground(his chute opening at 100 feet). Lt. Moseley reports(1):
"I remember leaving my plane and hoping that I had enough altitude for my parachute to open and that it would open. I was so low that I don't recall of ever seeing the ground before hitting it. I was stunned or knocked unconscious for a few moments. When I awoke, Lucien Lestang( French farmer) was standing near me. He didn't know whether I was a German or some other nationality. The next few minutes and hours were hectic and exciting" .
Moseley survived the rough landing with only superficial cuts and bruises(" except for one in my left backside"). For the next few months he evaded capture in the French countryside with the help of loyal French families.
Crash site of Lt. Moseley''s aircraft, P-47, WZ-L, s/n 43-25529, near the Lestang farm in France. (Source Credit: Lonnie L. Moseley Collection)
Moseley further reports on his experiences(1):
"A story to tell? Yes. I do this several times each year to schools, church groups, military units and clubs. Mostly it is about my WW II experience while missing in action(MIA), when I played the role of deaf mute, coming face to face with German soldiers. My false identification papers saved me. No, it wasn't the papers, it was the Lord. I was nearly taken to be a laborer for the German Army. The great French families who aided me are remembered. After being hidden in forrest for three days, I was hidden in a barn for two weeks. With my false ID completed I was able to go out and work on the farms but had to remain a deaf mute around strangers and young children. I landed on the farm of Lucien Lestang and his wife Nelly.
Lt. Moseley and Lucien Lestang at the site of his crashed aircraft near the Lestang farm.(Source Credit: Lonnie L. Moseley Collection)
They were always Papa and Mama to me during the experience as well as on my visits after the war. They had a son Bernard, one year younger than I and a ten year old daughter Lucienne, with whom I became a great friend but with whom I could not speak until two days prior to my departure. Our parachutes were made of pure silk. Mama(Nelly) Lestang made a beautiful First Communion dress and bonnet for Lucienne out of my chute. This dress continues to be passed around to relatives as their young daughters become eligible for this Catholic First Holy Communion ordinance. One morning 50 German soldiers came onto the farm where I was staying and another time 19 came. I was moved about three farms to get away from German soldiers as they moved back and forth. One group examined my false ID papers and nearly took me with them. There was time for work and play. The French were lots of fun when time permitted. Great jokesters. At the end I walked out alone through the German lines to join some small British tanks in a nearby town".
Lt. Moseley returned to Duxford and eventually the US. He completed his college education and returned to the US Army. He retired in 1974 as a Lt. Colonel with 32 years of service. He not only was a participant in WW II, but he also served in the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts. During his career Lonnie L. Moseley was awarded: the Silver Star, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Air Medals, Purple Heart, Ethiopian Air Medal and various campaign medals.
A copy of the telegram sent to Lt. Moseley's wife on 7-12-44, notifying her that her husband was MIA. (Source Credit: Lonnie L. Moseley Collection)
Webmaster's Notes:
(1) - Source Credit - Web page authored by Tiara Cottom, titled Lonnie LeRoy Moseley .
Thanks... to all that have contributed to these pages on behalf of the 78th Fighter Group Family!
This page was last revised on 10 / 21 / 04
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