Fred Losch of the famed Black Sheep Squadron dies in Fallbrook at age 88

FALLBROOK — America lost a true hero when Frederick “Fred” Samuel Losch, 88, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, April 23, 2010 in his Fallbrook home. He was one of the last surviving members of the famed Black Sheep Squadron that served under Maj. Pappy Boyington in World War II. For many years, Losch spent winters in Fallbrook and summers at his Slash E Ranch in Island Park, Idaho.

Fred Losch was born on July 24, 1921 on the family farm in Pennsylvania near the small town of Larryville. He finished eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse, graduated from high school in Jersey Shore,...