Richard L Ritchie

Military

Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 32 x combat missions. ETD





Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.

379th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

John Anton Sanda

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20345931 / O-802191
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot / S-3 Officer

Aircraft

42-29718

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The widow maker
A crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (WA-K, serial number 42-31021) of the 524th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group, at Overland Farm, Kent, 2 February 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'P253. B-17, 231021, WA:K, C/L Overland Farm, Kent, 2nd Feb 1944. ICM 80099AC.'

42-31021

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Whirlaway
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron

42-31189

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Paragon
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
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

42-32024

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Swamp Fire
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
Ground personnel of the 379th Bomb Group work on a B-17 Flying Fortress (FR-H, serial number 42-38111) nicknamed "Mairzy Doats", April 1944. Image via Edmund H Lutz, 379th Bomb Group. Written on slide casing: 'April 1944, my patched up B-17 "Mairzy Doats" on hardstand.'

42-38111

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

Fort Hayes, Columbus, OH 23 August 1941 Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio

Born

Jefferson County, OH

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/record/84164654-richard-l-ritchie
http://8thairforce.com/members/missionsflownby.asp?perIdentification=51…