550th Bomb Squadron

Squadron
The insignia of the 550th Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb Group. media-395083.jpg FRE 5140 The insignia of the 550th Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb Group. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5140 - The insignia of the 550th Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb Group.

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Great Ashfield

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39551795
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
AJ Ardzinski, a tail gunner of the 385th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: ' AJ Ardzinski- Tail gunner. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG, B-17G-35-BO "Poltergeist" 42-32059.' Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: 7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken by the co-pilot Bob James in the photos. A
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12150071
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-827757
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kentucky Winner
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Curley's Kids
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
42-102636 Sleepytime Gal
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sleepytime Gal
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
Lieutenant Robert M. Turner of the 385th Bomb Group examines bomb damage in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (SG-N, serial number 42-107031) at Great Ashfield, 23 May 1944. Official caption on image: "(GM-26-12-385)(23-5-44)(G.A. Bomb Damage)." Official caption also on front of other print: "62618 A.C." Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Lt. Robert M. Turner, 550th Squadron, Lost on 13 July 1944 over Munich - nickname? Know of this history behind this shot? [CredD?] E. Vandevanter.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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Contributorhermanns
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Documented source

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Contributorhermanns
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Documented source

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ContributorEMBLEMHUNTER
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my photo

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ContributorEMBLEMHUNTER
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my photo

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Contributorrossingtonj
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Type added.

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ContributorAAM
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Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

550th Bomb Squadron: Gallery (54 items)