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 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...

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33828763
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Ground crew
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19073723 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20813461 / O-806088
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Revisions

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

Research of the 379th BG Records personal eye witness accounts, diaries and logs.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

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.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-32024: Gallery (15 items)