42-31723 Sparky

The battle damaged tail of a B-17G Flying Fortress (XR-R) nicknamed "Sparky" of the 349th Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "(GAD-38-1-100)(20-5-44)(A/C 1723-349-B17G)." Handwritten caption on reverse: '19/5/44. "Sparky". 2/Lt. John P. Keys, 20mm. Also No. 2 engine.' media-407345.jpg FRE 4086 The battle damaged tail of a B-17G Flying Fortress (XR-R) nicknamed "Sparky" of the 349th Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "(GAD-38-1-100)(20-5-44)(A/C 1723-349-B17G)." Handwritten caption on reverse: '19/5/44. "Sparky". 2/Lt. John P. Keys, 20mm. Also No. 2 engine.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4086 - The battle damaged tail of a B-17G Flying Fortress (XR-R) nicknamed "Sparky" of the 349th Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group. Official caption on image:...

Delivered Denver 12/12/43; Kearney 31/12/43; Assigned 349BS/100BG [XR-R] Thorpe Abbotts 15/2/44; on Augsburg mission 16/3/44 Radio Operator: Sherwyn Meyers (KIA-pilot was Clem Cowan); Missing in Action Merseburg 29/7/44 with Jackson Phelps, Co-pilot: Alan Rogers, Navigator: Paul Durborow, Bombardier: Lyle Johnson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Art Martin, Radio Operator: Ken Goldfarb, Ball turret gunner: Albt Wiggs, Waist gunner: Marshall Duplantis (8 Killed in Action); Tail gunner: Don Beasley (Prisoner of War); hit by flak, lagged behind and shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed Bad Kosen, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 7810. SPARKY.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve

100th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Donald L Beasley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37563286
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Marshall H Duplantis

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38381666
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Paul J Durborow

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Kenneth S Goldfarb

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Lyle L Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

29 July 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words “Tail gunner” in the A/C “Description” section.

Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description” section.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Roger Freeman Photo.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7810 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-31723: Gallery (2 items)

The battle damaged tail of a B-17G Flying Fortress (XR-R) nicknamed "Sparky" of the 349th Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "(GAD-38-1-100)(20-5-44)(A/C 1723-349-B17G)." Handwritten caption on reverse: '19/5/44. "Sparky". 2/Lt. John P. Keys, 20mm. Also No. 2 engine.'

Object number: FRE 4086 - The battle damaged tail of a B-17G Flying Fortress...