[Destroyed Boeing B-17C Flying Fortress]

Photograph of the front portion of a Boeing B-17C Flying Fortress aircraft that was destroyed during the Pearl Harbor attack, Hickam Field, December 7, 1941. The aircraft was attacked by Japanese forces while attempting to land. Bullets hit magnesium flares, igniting a fire that led to the aircraft breaking in two.

Typed caption glued to verso: "Hickam Field, Hawaii. Dec. 7, 1941.This is the B-17C of our crew #3 after the Japanese attack as it was landing. Incendiary Japanese bullets hit the magnesium flares in the radio compartment and the resulting hot fire caused the airplane to break in two upon landing. This is the B-17C that I was originally assigned to and I was replaced by our squadron flight surgeon on the orders of the squadron commander. This change was necessary because my aerial camera was 24 volts and the B-17C was 12 volts. The crew was Capt. Raymond T. Swenson; co-pilot 2nd Lt. Ernest L. Reid; bombardier 2nd Lt. Homer R. Taylor; Crew chief M/Sgt. Leroy B. Pouncey; asst. crew chief Sgt. Earl T. Williams; radio operator Sgt. Joseph J. Bruce, and flight surgeon Lt. William Schick."