Mason Cityan in Unit Given Miles' Praise
By FRANK MILES (Iowa Daily Press War Correspondent)
Somewhere in the Mediterranean War Theater (IDPA) -- Major Robert H. Allyn, is the tall, rugged and modest 24 year old Winthrop, Iowa youth, who commands a B-17 squadron know as "Allyn's Irish Orphans." He is one of the most distinguished and beloved officers in the 15th Air Force.
Among the Iowans, who have or are in his outfit: 2nd Lt. Robert H. Keiter, pilot, Fort Dodge; Lt. Carl P. Cassidy, intelligence officer and squadron historian, in civilian life editor of the Lime Springs Herald; M/Sgt. Laurence Schneider, West Bend; S/Sgt George A. Swaroff, electrical engineer, Mason City; Sgt. Calvin E. Kennington, mechanic, Appleton; and Sgt. Lyman L. Samo, photographer and laboratory technician, Reinbeck.
The squadron has effectively bombed Ploesti, Romania; Budapest and many other important nazi strongholds.
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S/Sgt. George Swaroff, who is mentioned in the article by Frank Miles, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Swaroff, 1603 North Federal avenue.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, October 5, 1944 (photo included)
