Description The famous Swamp Ghost is a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress piloted by Captain Frederick ‘Fred’ C. Eaton, Jr. It was left in a swamp on Papua New Guinea during World War II, after an attack on ships at Japanese-occupied New Britain on February 22, 1942. While flying over Rabaul, it was intercepted and eventually, having run out of fuel, had to force-land in a remote swamp near the north coast of New Guinea. All of the crew survived the crash landing and had an arduous trek out. The Boeing B-17E sat undisturbed for 30 years, serving as a rare, untouched example of early World War II aviation. It is now displayed at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. The B-17 was the Army’s first mass-produced four-engine heavy bomber, entering service in 1938. Renowned for its ability to sustain heavy enemy fire, it was dubbed the “four-engine fighter” by the Japanese for its unique ability to fly into combat without a fighter escort. Crucial to allied success in the Pacific theater, the B-17 also proved highly effective against German fighters across the European continent, successfully completing countless daylight bombing raids against German industrial targets despite taking on heavy battle damage. This coin is dedicated to the Swamp Ghost B-17E Flying Fortress. The obverse features an iconic 2015-created piece of nose art of a feisty Duck emerging from a swamp in 3D UV print. The reverse features the historic emblem of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Minted in a brass alloy and given an antique bronze finish, the coin’s reverse is imbued with rich enamel accents and 3D UV print. Each coin measures 1 1/2 inch (39mm) in diameter. Official Licensed Product of the U.S. Army. By federal law, licensing fees paid to the U.S. Army for use of its trademarks provide support to the Army Trademark Licensing Program, and net licensing revenue is devoted to U.S. Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs.
