James Marasco
Military
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 5098 - The insignia of the 349th Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group. Featuring Mickey Mouse.
Prisoner of War (POW). On a mission November 5, 1943 to Gelsenkirchen on B-17 #42-30088 'Squawkin' Hawk II', pilot William R. Flesh ordered a bail out after plane suffered severe bomb damage. 8 men jumped, but pilot Flesh and Co-Pilot John G. Gossage were able to regain control and landed at the RAF base at Tangmere, Kent. Tail Gunner James Marasco was one of the four men made prisoner. Radio Operator Conner Brewster was killed when his parachute didn't open. Three other crew members managed to evade with the help of the Belgian Comète evasion network. MACR 15553.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34201968
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36507324
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Assistant Radio Operator / Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17033849 at enlistment, then O-xxxxxx
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11045517
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18024533 at enlistment, then O-725967
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Squawkin Hawk II
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron 100th Bomb Group
Missions
- Date: 5 November 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
11 January 1922 | Napa, Napa County, California | |
|
Enlisted |
21 November 1941 | ||
|
Other captured |
5 November 1943 | in the vicinity of Peer, Limburg Province, Belgium, after bailing out of B-17 42-30088 | |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
5 November 1943 | Interned at Stalag XVIIB Braunau, near Krems, Austria. NARA WWII POW records : "Returned to Military Control 30 May 1945" | |
|
Other Discharged |
2 November 1945 | Berkeley, California | |
|
Other Re-enlisted |
5 November 1945 | Berkeley, California | |
|
Died |
24 October 1992 | ||
| Berkeley, California | |||
|
Buried |
James Marasco rests at the Southern Nevada Veterans National Cemetery, Boulder City, Clark County, Nevada |
Revisions
Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
MACR 15553
NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records
WWII Draft Cards
VA Gravesite Locator
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey pp. 511-2
