Byron Barr Clark
Military
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
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"
Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. ETD
Awards: DFC, AM (5 OLC), WWII Victory, EAME, 2 Unit Citations.
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: 20813461 / O-806088
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Swamp Fire
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Washington, Pennsylvania | 26 March 1923 | Son of Homer L and Helen L Clark. |
Enlisted |
Nashville, TN | 14 January 1943 | Nashville, Tennessee |
Based |
Kimbolton | Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
379th Bombardment Group (H) Anthology, 1942-45; p. 160. / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia