Hi Readers!

Received a request the other day thru this site for information on William Work – a member of the 417th.  This request came from his grandson, but unfortunately, the email contact that he left looks to be incorrect as it bounced.  So, I am posting here in the hopes that Joshua will see this and get in contact again.

I found a few references and a photo on William Work from the 417 NFS Illustrated History Chapter 4 pages 40-87.   It seems William Work joined  the 417th in October/November of 1944 as part of a replacement crew arriving from the 419th(?).  Here is a group photo of crew that arrived.  The caption on the photo indicates that William is 3rd from the left in the front row.

I believe William Work was a radar operator.

Another photo I found was titled “Condon and Willie Work @ LeVallon” and I assume the reference is to Bob Condon and William Work (in back).

That’s it so far, but I will keep searching the archives for any additional info  on William.  If anyone else has anything to add in this story, give me a shout!

Joshua, if you’re reading this, you can contact me directly at 417@fryphone.com.

Cheers!

John “Woody” Grange served in WWII as a pilot in the 417th.  He passed away in 2003, but prior to that, John was interviewed by his nephew about his experience with the 417th and the war.   John’s nephew got in touch with me recently and provided me with access to the video story he created from the interview.

To watch the interview, go to  the Video Stories page, or click on the link below which will bring you directly to the interview on You Tube.

“Waste Not 83”  A Night Fighter’s Story

Another visitor to this site contacted me with some historical information on one of the 417th members, Thaddeus C. Kulpinski.  I got in touch with the reader and he provided me a copy of a Christmas Greeting card that Thaddeus sent to his parents.

Thaddeus, “Ted”, Kulpinski was an RO and an original member of the 417th NFS.  Here he is in a group photo of the original members…

…And a shot of him from when he was in prep school prior to the war.

Enjoy, and keep those photos and memories coming!

Jackie

Hello readers – I’ve been away on holiday for a bit and while I was away, I received a request from a reader who is looking to contact any relatives of Clarence K Fuller.  Clarence died in action on 1/20/1944 and was part of the 417th Night Fighter group.

If you can help, please drop me an email via the contacts page on this website and I will put you in touch with the person who made the inquiry.

Kind Regards,

Jackie

Found two more gems in my father’s collection of Night Fighter memories.  He saved two “memory books”, one each from the 1994 WWII Night Fighters Convention in Norfolk, VA and the 2000 convention in Salt Lake City.  Both books contained photos of each attendee, spouses, group squadron photos and general photos of the activities at the convention.  I’ve posted both of these memory books in two new galleries under Photo and Videos Gallery Menu or you can click on this link:

NFS Reunions from the Past

I hope you find a nice memory of parent, relative, colleague or friend amongst these new photos.