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James E. Rung
Updated 11/22/2019: You’ve read it before but I shall write it again: It has been far too long since I have taken the time to update this website! I have made only minor tweaks this time, primarily to update links that no longer worked and to add some new resource links to the right side menu. Whether you are doing research or just interested in the 379th, the links provided have a TON of great information. Be warned: you can EASILY go down internet rabbit holes and next thing you know it’s 2:00am and you need to go to bed!
Dad’s logbook continues to connect me to people around the world. In fact, this past June, our travels took us to England once again. I have a GREAT story to tell, but I will leave you with this teaser – It’s just your typical girl-meets-boy-in-a-pub-and-now-they-are-working-on-a-book-together story. Yes, I am working on a book about Dad’s experiences during the War. This book will be different that most memoirs as it will be supplemented with colorized photos from my father’s and the 379th archives. I am working with Jordan J. Lloyd of Dynamichrome who does colorization for a living…and he does a bang-up job! You can check out his work at www.dynamichrome.com. If you like what you see, consider buying his book, “History As They Saw It.” You can find it on Amazon or I’m sure your local independent bookstore could order it for you. Jordan and I will be using a crowd-funding model to publish the book. More on that as the details become available!
Sadly, I have discovered that all of Dad’s crew have now passed and are no longer available to share their stories. But, I am hoping to find their surviving family members so I may see if any of their stories are left behind. If you know of any descendants of Willard L. Oliver, James W. Dodson, James A. Lawrence III, Kenneth L. Drissell, John W. Bickel, Robert A. Hennings, Lester R. Moody, or L John Lewis, please ask them to reach out to me at missy.b17navigator@gmail.com.
I hope the world continues to find this website and learn from it. More than ever, we need to keep the memory of these veterans alive so we may learn from the past and never forget the lessons World War II taught us. I do enjoy hearing from people who have found this website, so please feel free to comment or send me an email.
Cheers!
James E. Rung, B-17 Navigator 
John McDowell. Van Nuys Ca.
April 27, 2014 at 11:26 am
Your Father is a great American.
b17navigator
April 29, 2014 at 7:47 pm
Thank you for your comment John. As you know, those who fought during the War don’t consider themselves heroes – they were just doing a job for their country. I’ll pass along to my father that his website has generated another comment. He’s always so surprised that so many still find interest in World War II.
Have fun in Van Nuys! I’ve been there. Wonderful place. 🙂
James L. Dodson
March 18, 2015 at 8:56 am
Missy, et al,
a couple of years ago I had an opportunity to review my uncles military record that he had copy of. The local paper interviewed and did a veterans day spread on my Uncle James W. Dodson, B-17 Pilot/copilot. Your father flew with my uncle during the war and I’m so sorry for the loss of your father, a great American. It has been great to listen, hear and read their stories. A lot of these true Americans who fought for our freedom, stories go undocumented. We were very fortunate that our love ones returned from the war, where we lost so many. God bless you for sharing your fathers log book and stories.
b17navigator
November 3, 2015 at 8:27 pm
James, OMG! This is amazing! I apologize for not seeing your comment sooner. A technical glitch not discovered until today (read that as “I forgot to make a password change update in another spot”) kept me from seeing comment notifications. I’m glad you were able to find my website! I am hoping to add more to it, but never seem to find the time. I’ll make it a priority this winter. Easier when the nights are long and cold. Please do keep in touch! And, is it true your uncle is still alive? I have another comment from a Larry L Smith stating he is your uncle’s caretaker and wants more photos and stuff to share? Send me email at missy.b17navigator@gmail.com…missy.
George
August 26, 2016 at 5:10 pm
Ms Hart, I am trying to find a successor to the 379th Bomb Group that disbanded in 2014.
Would that be you
b17navigator
February 24, 2017 at 9:18 pm
Hi George! I am not Ms. Hart, but I know who you speak of. As far as I know, there is no successor to the group. The Association’s website still exists and I believe they still take “Looking4” requests, but as for reunions, those no longer occur. I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to your comment. I never received notification. 😦 Is there a specific reason why you are looking for the group?
Jim Dodson
October 14, 2017 at 6:28 am
Missy, I have some bad news I’m not sure if my uncle was the last of his crew also known as the Queen of Hearts who flew missions against the Germans with your dad during World War 2. Passed yesterday 13 October 2017. RIP Uncle Jim!
Jim Dodson
October 17, 2017 at 7:52 am
Missy, I have some bad news I’m not sure if my uncle was the last of his crew also known as the crew of “Queen of Hearts” who flew missions against the Germans with your dad during World War 2. Passed yesterday 13 October 2017. RIP Uncle Jim!
b17navigator
August 23, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Hello Jim!
OMG I cannot believe I somehow missed your post! I see now that your message about your uncle is a couple of years old. I am very sad to hear about his passing. I think he was the last surviving member of the crew “Queen of Hearts”/”Lil Satan.” RIP to them all! Please keep in touch! You can reach me at missy.b17navigator.com.
Allen A. Denio. USAF Reserve, 1957-63
February 4, 2022 at 1:49 pm
I recall that at the start of the war, flight crews only had to survive 25 missions. In Jim’s case, it was up to 35. I gather it was raised again. Towards the end of the war, the German Air Force was less of a threat.
b17navigator
February 7, 2022 at 6:46 pm
Hi Al! You are correct. I believe the requirement to serve for 35 missions was implemented in May/June 1944. I would have to look that to be sure but it wasn’t that long before my dad flew his first mission.