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.

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Units served with

People

Arthur E Martin

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Sherwyn W Meyers

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

Jackson E Phelps

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

Allan S Rogers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Albert G Wiggs

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

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)