Photo of "Ruthie II" - B-17F 42-29802 92nd BG?

ZeamerB17 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:22 pm

This is the B-17 that John C. Morgan earned the Medal of Honor in on July 28, 1943.

She also flew with the 379th BG at some point according to Wallace Forman's B-17 Nose Art Name Directory.

Does anyone know if a photo exists of this a/c?

Thanks a lot!

ZeamerB17 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:17 pm

jasonp51d · **Posted:** Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:44 am

Go to www.footnote.com and search the WWII US Air Force Photos section.

If you type in John Morgan you will see photos of him collecting his medal of hobor.

If you type in Ruthie B-17 you will see photos of possibly her with the 379th BG (although looks like a B-17G).

May also be worth contacting the 92nd BG website http://www.92ndma.org/

Good luck

Jason

ZeamerB17 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:04 pm

Thanks, Jason - I'll give those ideas a try.

duramaxdad · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 10:12 pm

I believe the date is wrong. My grandfather was the top turret gunner that lost his arm on that mission i'm pretty sure it was july 26. If anyone has pictures of ruthie II or tyre calhoun weaver i would be greatly interested.

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 10:17 pm

Dave,

A number of years ago I was part of a group that built models (for the IPMS Nationals in Dallas) of many of the aircraft involved in MOH missions. I don't recall anyone building a model of Ruthie II due to a lack of photographic evidence.

Scott

duramaxdad · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 10:34 pm

if anyone has anything pertaining to b-17 ruthie II my email is johnw277@hotmail.com

duramaxdad · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 10:36 pm

also all the research i can find says she was scrapped after the july 26th mission

ZeamerB17 · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 5:18 am

duramaxdad wrote:

I believe the date is wrong. My grandfather was the top turret gunner that lost his arm on that mission i'm pretty sure it was july 26. If anyone has pictures of ruthie II or tyre calhoun weaver i would be greatly interested.

Very interesting! Is your grandfather still living? I've always wanted to hear his account of that day. As for the date, I'm finding 7-26, 7-28, 7-18. Now I'm confused.

duramaxdad wrote:

also all the research i can find says she was scrapped after the july 26th mission

According to Roger Freeman's The B-17 Flying Fortress Story, Ruthie II was transferred to the 379th BG, 527th SQ on September 19, 1943 and was coded FO-C. She survived the war and was at Altus, OK for "reclamation" :roll:

July 30, 1945.
So, there is a possibility the 379th BGA <www.379thbga.org> might have a photo. Their WWII photos link won't load for me right now.

ZeamerB17 · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 5:23 am

Second Air Force wrote:

Dave,

A number of years ago I was part of a group that built models (for the IPMS Nationals in Dallas) of many of the aircraft involved in MOH missions. I don't recall anyone building a model of Ruthie II due to a lack of photographic evidence.

Scott

Thanks, Scott. Is there a website with photos or info about those models your group built? I and probably others would be interested in seeing them.

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 9:35 am

ZeamerB17 wrote:

Second Air Force wrote:

Thanks, Scott. Is there a website with photos or info about those models your group built? I and probably others would be interested in seeing them.

I don't remember ever seeing a picture of the entire display, Dave. I don't even recall what year it was--'99 maybe?, but I did have the pleasure of meeting Jay Zeamer during the show.

Scott

ZeamerB17 · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 2:35 pm

Second Air Force wrote:

I don't remember ever seeing a picture of the entire display, Dave. I don't even recall what year it was--'99 maybe?, but I did have the pleasure of meeting Jay Zeamer during the show.
Scott

Nice!

Did anyone build a replica of his B-17E 41-2666?

duramaxdad · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 7:31 pm

no he has passed away several years ago but there is guy that talk to regularly that was on the plane with him he has told so many stories. its probably the most interesting things ive ever heard.

duramaxdad · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 7:38 pm

it was definately the 26 of july. i have pictures of Ruthie II after her july 4 raid but they arent very good. ill have to look when i get back home and see if there are any good pictures of the nose. im working out of town so it will be several weeks before i return home.

ZeamerB17 · **Posted:** Tue May 18, 2010 12:23 am

duramaxdad wrote:

no he has passed away several years ago but there is guy that talk to regularly that was on the plane with him he has told so many stories. its probably the most interesting things ive ever heard.

Sorry to hear it. Did he ever write down or tape his remembrances of his WWII service? So many of these gentlemen don't and their unique stories are sadly lost.

You should ask his crewmate (name?) to tell his story on video or audio so there is more to add to the record.

Do you know how many of the crewmen from that B-17 that day are still living?

Thanks!

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Photo of "Ruthie II" - B-17F 42-29802 92nd BG?

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