Thomas Francis Cunningham
Military
Rear L-R: T/Sgt Thomas F Cunningham, 1Lt Kenneth J Duval, Unkn, Unkn, 2Lt Robert Walsh.
Front L-R: 2Lt Fernando Leonardy, Unkn, Unkn.
Object Number - UPL 38706 - "A crew of the 379th Bomb Group poses beside the Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Swamp Fire' at an 8th Air Force base in England, 14 March...
Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 25 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: AM, PH, WWII Victory, EAME.
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: 39013754 / O-?
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
![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)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Swamp Fire
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 22 February 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Youngstown, Ohio | 27 August 1923 | Son of Thomas S and Cecilia C [Metzinger] Cunningham. |
|
Enlisted |
Fort Hayes, Columbus, OH | 28 November 1942 | Fort Hayes, Columbus Ohio |
|
Died |
Youngstown, OH | 17 March 2002 | |
|
Buried |
Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Youngstown, OH | 20 March 2002 | Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery Youngstown, Mahoning County, OH |
|
Based |
Kimbolton | Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self
