Tim-- My son and grandson visited Sterparone a few years ago. The farm buildings are still intact with Disney characters still on the upstairs walls of the house. Sterparone is located midway between San Severo and Lucera. I did not know the Alpha Fowler crew but have info on them in a book. I once rode the bombadier's seat in a B-17 from Pisa to Naples.I wonder if it could have been the same seat that your father rode! My son, Jim, can tell you exactly how to get to Sterparone. Harley
Harley...my Dad was Fred Smith....he was squadron bombardier flying with the Alpha Fowler crew in the 840th squadron. Do any of those names ring a bell? He arrived there in March of 44 with the second wave of 17's brought from McDill. I hope to make a trip to Italy new year to visit Foggia and perhaps even find where the field at Sterparone was.
I spent 13 months with the 483rd group at sterparone in 1943 and 1944 as a ground radio operator. We built the runways from a wheat field and closed it down at the end of the war. The video was excellent. My son took a ride in the very same airplane when it was in Dallas. I will be happy to share any information that I have that would be helpful to anyone interested in the 483rd bomb group. I am now 89 years old with fond memories of the B-17. Harley Bates
My uncle Lt. Leo Powojski navigator was also a member of the 483rd 816 squadron. He was shot down over Memmingen Germany. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to these true American heroes.
My grandfather was pilot Fred Vaughan of the 483rd BG 816 squadron. He was also operations officer of the 816th. I recently have spoken to the only surviving member of his crew Navigator Jack Abrahamson who provided me with details and some crew photos. True heroes !
Do either of you guys ever go to the 483 group reunions. I've talked to the guys there, but its hard to tell if there would be anyone around who knew my old man.
Mr. Nutter, since your dad was in the same squadron as mine, do you happen to know the crew he was with?
Tim-- My son and grandson visited Sterparone a few years ago. The farm buildings are still intact with Disney characters still on the upstairs walls of the house. Sterparone is located midway between San Severo and Lucera. I did not know the Alpha Fowler crew but have info on them in a book. I once rode the bombadier's seat in a B-17 from Pisa to Naples.I wonder if it could have been the same seat that your father rode! My son, Jim, can tell you exactly how to get to Sterparone. Harley
harley22102 2 months ago
Harley...my Dad was Fred Smith....he was squadron bombardier flying with the Alpha Fowler crew in the 840th squadron. Do any of those names ring a bell? He arrived there in March of 44 with the second wave of 17's brought from McDill. I hope to make a trip to Italy new year to visit Foggia and perhaps even find where the field at Sterparone was.
Thanks for the comments all, much appreciated!!
Tim
triumfero 2 months ago
I spent 13 months with the 483rd group at sterparone in 1943 and 1944 as a ground radio operator. We built the runways from a wheat field and closed it down at the end of the war. The video was excellent. My son took a ride in the very same airplane when it was in Dallas. I will be happy to share any information that I have that would be helpful to anyone interested in the 483rd bomb group. I am now 89 years old with fond memories of the B-17. Harley Bates
harley22102 2 months ago
My uncle Lt. Leo Powojski navigator was also a member of the 483rd 816 squadron. He was shot down over Memmingen Germany. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to these true American heroes.
fardmeyer 4 months ago
My grandfather was pilot Fred Vaughan of the 483rd BG 816 squadron. He was also operations officer of the 816th. I recently have spoken to the only surviving member of his crew Navigator Jack Abrahamson who provided me with details and some crew photos. True heroes !
Hanatorp1 10 months ago
Comment removed
Hanatorp1 10 months ago
Do either of you guys ever go to the 483 group reunions. I've talked to the guys there, but its hard to tell if there would be anyone around who knew my old man.
Mr. Nutter, since your dad was in the same squadron as mine, do you happen to know the crew he was with?
Tim
triumphero 10 months ago
My grandfather was a ball turret gunner on a B-17, 483rd Bombardment Group
meltondarrell 11 months ago
My Dad was a ball turret gunner on A B-17 "The Rum Hound " 840 B Sqd. 483 BG
MrNutter77 1 year ago