42-32024 Swamp Fire
![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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-380040.jpg.webp?itok=eM2LTuRA)
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...
Swamp Fire was the first Heavy Bomber to reach 100 Missions - "Without an Abort" for the 379th BG. She was chosen to participate in the 28 May 1944 top secret "Grapefruit" mission to drop Americans first Glide bomb 20+ miles from the primary target of Cologne, Germany. When she reported to Alconbury she was repainted and renamed "The Scorpion" and flew around 30 weather missions Delivered Cheyenne 15/1/44; Gr Island 30/1/44; Assigned 524BS/379BG [WA-L] Kimbolton 20/2/44; first in group to 100m, dec W/W 11/12/44; transferred Alconbury 1/6/45; Returned to the USA 121 BU Bradley 12/7/45; 4185 BU Independence 14/7/45; 4136 BU Tinker 16/12/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 29/12/45. SWAMP FIRE.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37675741
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ground crew
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33700498
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38631468
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball turret gunner
![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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380040.jpg.webp?itok=ECA71LeY)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13087379 / O-813283
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Revisions
Research of the 379th BG Records personal eye witness accounts, diaries and logs.
Brought in information from a duplicate record. Source:
User 'cody1947', Richard Lewis: From unit records and personal remembrances of her Ground Crew Chief Dominick DeSalvo.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log
![A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Swamp Fire", 1 November 1944. Official caption on image: "(GPR-214-1-379)(1-11-44)." On reverse: Photo from the collection of Merle Olmsted [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413428.jpg.webp?itok=RkpTmMal)
