MAZ6R Ace Reporter Kelly Leblack's Great-Grandmother Arrives at Kimbolton to Interview the Crew!
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“My first overseas assignment with The NYT. U.S. AAF117, Kimbolton. Where I met a dashing flyboy. TSGT. Thomas Grange.”
“He took me to The Bedford Exchange for cocktails and dancing. He was an awesome dancer!”
—NYT Correspondent Kelly LeBlack
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MAZ6R CLAN
LOGO AND MOTTO DEVELOPMENT STORY!
MAZ6R CLAN logo preserves WWII heritage with 'Death Before Dishonor.' Inspired by my father's B-17 squadron tattoo, our logo represents 'Strength and Honor.'
Our MAZ6R CLAN logo has World War II and personal significance. Although the exact number is unknown, the men in my father’s B-17 squadron wore the tattoo (pictured lower left), and the first ‘Aces n’ eights’ B-17 is pictured bottom left. The bomb insignias on the nose of the plane represent thirty successful missions. Shortly before my father passed away, he allowed me to take a picture of his tattoo for posterity. As a child, the phrase ‘Death Before Dishonor’ has been a part of my life.
The MAZ6R CLAN motto is ‘Strength & Honor.’ So, incorporating the ‘Death Before Dishonor’ phrase from my father's B-17 squadron tattoo into the clan logo seemed appropriate.
WOWS displays clan logos or icons in battle next to each member’s call sign and battle insignia. So vibrant color was important.
I was ecstatic when the clan approved the logo and surprised at how quickly WOWS gave their blessing. Thanks to everyone in our clan for their input and for allowing me to bring a part of my father’s WWII history to the clan and in-game. My father would be honored! The MAZ6R CLAN Plaque (pictured right). This unique plaque represents who we are:
‘Strength and honor based on a team fellowship built on mutual trust, respect, and friendship.’
Thomas M. Grange/FAMD/CEO
Revised: September 6, 2026
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“The heart of our logo and the soul of our story belong to the FAMD's father, a highly decorated war hero.”
“This is a tribute to him, his legendary squadron, and the men who fought alongside him. We honor their sacrifice and bear their standard.”
Kelly
*THE 379th BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 527TH BOMB SQUADRON INFORMATION
The 379th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 527th Bomb Squadron, operated from RAF Kimbolton in Huntingdonshire, England, during WWII. Kimbolton was also known as USAAF Station 117. The 379th arrived there in May 1943 and flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Kimbolton until the end of the European war in 1945. And here's the really neat part concerning the aircraft “Aces n' Eights.” The 379th's four B-17 squadrons were:
524th Bomb Squadron
525th Bomb Squadron
526th Bomb Squadron
527th Bomb Squadron
The 527th's aircraft identification code was FO. The group itself
used the famous Triangle-K tail marking.
Thomas M. Grange/FAMD/CEO
Revised: September 6, 2026
THE INSPIRATION FOR OUR MOTTO & LOGO. THE 527TH SQUADRON TATTOO!
MAZ6R CLAN
LOGO &
CLAN IN-GAME TAG
MAZ6R CLAN
CLAN PLAQUE
THOMAS J. GRANGE
TSGT. WWII B-17
SQUADRON TATTOO
ACES N' Eights, B-17, AND CREW IMAGE GALLERY!
TSGT THOMAS J. GRANGE
Aces n' Eights, B-17G
379th Bomb Group
527th Bomb Squadron
8th Air Force
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TECHNICAL SERGEANT THOMAS J. GRANGE
WITH N.Y. TIMES CORRESPONDENT KELLY LEBLACK,
KIMBOLTON STATION, U.S. AAF117, 1942
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ACES n' EIGHTS
B-17F
THOMAS J. GRANGE
& CREW
ACES n' EIGHTS
B-17G
Standing, left to right: Gordon D. Fisher, Royce D. Taylor, Robert W. Haston, Harold N. Sheaffer, Foy R. Clingman, and Kenneth E. Raack.
Kneeling, left to right: Thomas Grange, Robert Spisak, Lester B. Adriansen, and James W. Bittenback.
MAZ6R TEAM B-17 RENDITIONS
FLAG COMMANDER TERESA/LADYBLOOD'S MAZ6R PINUP, VERONICA & B-17G CPT-VARIANT!
My father always said that at one time, the playing cards were next to the name! Constant repairs made them too difficult to repaint!
Aces n' eights, B-17G
379th Bomb Group
527th Bomb Squadron
8th Air Force
Lt. Commander Sere Westland's historically accurate recreation of my father’s bomber, captured precisely as it appeared when it first touched down at RAF Kimbolton, England.
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WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED OUR Aces n'eights TRIBUTE!
MAZ6R News Anchor Kelly Paying Her Respects to Thomas
Pain is Fleeting, Honor is Forever, Death is only the Beginning!
Thomas (MAZ) Grange FAMD
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