Roscoe Ann the Bear
MascotUpdated with caption from photograph.
Roscoe was gifted to Lt George Nelson by a park ranger when "he" was a cub, after Nelson, and 11 other officers were inducted into the Blackfeet Indian Tribe.
Roscoe travelled to England in the radio room of Lt Beckers B-17 Flying Fortress, and became the official mascot of the 569th Bomb Squadron. "He" enjoyed life at Parham, having free run of the base, and choice of the bunks to sleep in. Eventually it was discovered that Roscoe was actually female, so she was renamed Roscoe Ann!
As she grew older and more adventurous Roscoe Ann would wander into local villages, where she would delight the local children and terrorised the local church. Unfortunately she developed a love for sweets which led to health problems. Six months after joining the 390th at Parham she had to be put down, the officer who had the unfortunate job of doing this, claimed it was the toughest assignment he ever had.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Ground Echelon
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Parham