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Swift, Harry R

Individual Personnel Data
Name Swift, Harry R   
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-798697   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Special Orders #70 dated 11 March 1943, effective 11 March 1943.
Duty Co-pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 22 June 1943
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 5 July 1922
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 2165 (3.060 MB)
Crew 17 (Legacy)
Photos of this Veteran signing the Wing PanelSwift Signing
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Original 384th Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Olbinski, Robert JamesPilotPOW
2nd Lt. Swift, Harry RCo-pilotPOW
2nd Lt. Grandpre, Richard EliasNavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Turner, Douglas HaigBombardierKIA
S/SGT. Reed, Oliver EugeneRadio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Trickett, Ernest MiltonEngineer / Top Turret GunnerKIA
S/SGT. Werbanec, George FrankBall Turret GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Cooke, Harold JosephTail GunnerKIA
S/SGT. Hanna, William LyvereFlexible GunnerTR
PVT. Waterman, George WFlexible GunnerKIA

Crew History

The Olbinski Crew joined the 545th BS at Wendover on 11 March 1943. Identified as 'Crew #17' on the assignment order, they became the first 'Crew #59' in the squadron. Prior to transferring overseas, Counihan replaced Hanna for unknown reasons. They trained at Wendover, Sioux City, and Kearney, and then flew to England together.
They entered combat together, flying the 384th's first mission on 22 June 1943, but were shot down over enemy territory. Turner, Trickett, Cooke and Waterman were KIA, and the rest of the crew became POWs for the duration of the war.

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 1 Combat Mission.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
1 22 June 1943 Target: General Motors Truck Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Co-pilot 42‑30076 Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Shot down by enemy aircraft; crashed near Wilhelminadoorp, The Netherlands. MACR 2165
Sortie Report

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