Matthew J Scianameo

Military
A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group, and their mascot "Scragg", with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32024) nicknamed "Swamp Fire". Image via Byron Clark. A printed caption has been attached to the reverse: 'Swamp Fire First Crew. Kimbolton, May 1 1944 [handwritten annotation to this says: 'Photo Taken.']. Rear Row, L to R. Berj Bejian- Engineer & Top Turret, Roy Avery- Waist Gunner, Andrew Stroman- Ball Turret, John Rose- Waist Gunner, Elijah Lewis- Tail Gunner, Edward Pryzybyla- Radio Gun media-380040.jpg FRE 1243 A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group, and their mascot " Lt Scragg", with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32024) nicknamed "Swamp Fire". Image via Byron Clark.

A printed caption has been attached to the reverse: 'Swamp Fire First Crew. Kimbolton, May 1 1944 [handwritten annotation to this says: 'Photo Taken.'].
Rear Row, L to R.
Berj Bejian- Engineer & Top Turret,
Roy Avery- Waist Gunner,
Andrew Stroman- Ball Turret,
John Rose- Waist Gunner,
Elijah Lewis- Tail Gunner,
Edward Pryzybyla- Radio Gunner.

Front Row, L to R.
Matthew Scianameo- Navigator,
Byron Clark- Co-Pilot,
Joseph Korstjens- A/C Commander,
Harvey Harris- Bombardier,
Lt Scragg (Ground Crew Mascot).
The story I got about Lt Scragg was that he was rescued by the Pilot- Lt Joe Korstjens and he stayed in the Officer's Quarters, hence the rank of Lieutenant and during missions he would be found awaiting a pat on the head from the returning Air Combat Crewmen on Bombardier Lt Harvey "Herk " Harris' bunk. When this Crew finished their tour they gave Lt Scragg to the Maintenance Crew for keeping and good luck.

First Heavy Bomber to reach 100 Missions without an abort. Also selected to drop America's first flying bomb during the Grapefruit Mission on 28 May 1944. Roger Freeman Collection

From Co-Pilot Byron B Clark and M/Sgt Dominick DeSalvo Ground crew Chief of "Swamp fire"

Object Number - FRE 1243 - A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group, and their mascot " Lt Scragg", with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32024) nicknamed "Swamp...

Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 32 x combat missions. ETD



Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20813461 / O-806088
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group, and their mascot "Scragg", with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32024) nicknamed "Swamp Fire". Image via Byron Clark. A printed caption has been attached to the reverse: 'Swamp Fire First Crew. Kimbolton, May 1 1944 [handwritten annotation to this says: 'Photo Taken.']. Rear Row, L to R. Berj Bejian- Engineer & Top Turret, Roy Avery- Waist Gunner, Andrew Stroman- Ball Turret, John Rose- Waist Gunner, Elijah Lewis- Tail Gunner, Edward Pryzybyla- Radio Gun
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Swamp Fire
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

Westbury, NY 16 August 2000

Buried

Cemetery of the Holy Rood Westbury, Nassau County, NY 20 August 2000 Cemetery of the Holy Rood Westbury, Nassau County, NY

Born

NY, NY Son of Charles Scianameo.

Enlisted

Astoria, New York

Based

Kimbolton Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Pilot training

San Marcos, TX Wings and commissioned 2Lt. San Marcos AAF, TX

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

379th Bombardment Group (H) Anthology, 1942-45; p. 162. / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Matthew J Scianameo: Gallery (4 items)