Welcome to the 'news' page for the 55th Fighter Group web site.  I shall post notices of new additions here, as often as I make changes to the site.  If you spot any broken links or apparent errors, then please let me know and I'll correct them.

55th Fighter Group - Nuthampstead Airfield Museum!  

There will shortly be a museum at Nuthampstead Airfield (2012), that will dedicated to both the 55th and the 398th BG and will incorporate both Groups in the displays and artefacts.  If you want to know more about this project, then please email me or visit the website address immediately below. 

Help create the legacy - **Update ** All US Memberships have now been sold.  Only UK Memberships available!

http://www.nuthampsteadairfieldmuseum.webs.com/
 

• 20 January 2012 - Added Capt. Bollwerk's (338th FS) encounter report for the 18th March '44 to the Encounter Reports page
   

• 06 January 2012 - Added a photo of Lt. Shank's (338th FS) name on the Wall of the Missing at the Madingley Military Cemetery, Cambridge.  Also added Lt. Shank's mission history.
   

• 05 January 2012 - Have corrected an error on Lt. Ditlevson's page (338th FS).  Many thanks to Jenn Ditlevson for pointing out the error.
   

• 05 January 2012 - Added a photo of Lt. Shank (338th FS) to the Memorial page.  My thanks to Michel Beckers for finding the photo.
   

• 05 January 2012 - More sad news.  I have been advised that John 'Buddy' McKee passed away on 21st November 2011.  My thoughts are with his widow, Martha Ann, and the family.

John E. McKee Jr.
 29 June 1923 - 21 November 2011

• 27 December 2011 - Added a better photo of Capt. Woods (38th FS) to his page and also a better photo of his P-51D "Sweet Ellouise".  Photos courtesy of David Woods.
   

• 24 December 2011 - Added a photo of Lt. Matney (38th FS) to his page.  Photo courtesy of David Woods.
   

• 24 December 2011 - Added a photo of Lt. Larson (38th FS) to his page.  Photo courtesy of David Woods.
   

• 21 December 2011 - Added a photo of Capt. Holderman (38th FS) to his page.  Photo courtesy of David Woods.
   

• 16 December 2011 - 343rd FS veteran, Don Gifford has sadly passed away on the 24th November.  Don stood in for Ed Giller at a number of recent reunions and was a regular attendee at Offutt AFB memorial services.  John McQueney, 55th Wing Historian, "He was a great patriot, humble, a wonderful family man and in so many ways the typical GI of that era. Jim Thomas, Robb Hoover and I represented the retired guys while four active duty AF members were also in attendance. The Offutt Honor Guard did a superb job. Lt Col Randy Mys, present commander of the 343rd, presented the flag to Don's widow Fern."

Don Gifford
08 March 1924 - 24 November 2011

• 09 December 2011 - Another 55th veteran has passed on.  Sterling McHarg (343rd FS) sadly passed away, aged 88, on 30th October 2011.  My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Sterling McHarg (343rd FS)

• 06 December 2011 - I haven't yet posted up the sad news that Jack Cunnick passed away on 28th August 2011.  Jack was a dear friend and was a source of 'terrible' jokes and wonderful humour.  I miss his emails and would like to pass on my condolences to his family and friends.  We'll miss you Jack.

Jack Cunnick (38th FS)

• 30 November 2011 - Corrected an error on Lt. Fair's page (343rd FS).  My thanks to Matt Frase for pointing out the error and for the information on his Grandfather, T/Sgt Davidson (343rd FS).
   

• 22 November 2011 - Have added a photo of Lt. John W. Thomas (338th FS) to the Memorial Page.
   

• Apologies all for a long delay in this update.  The Museum project and my health issues have impacted on my ability to maintain the site.  However, I should be able to post regular updates now.  Apologies to all those that have sent in material.  I'll do my best to post as much as possible in the next week or so.
   

• 12 August 2011 - My thanks to Mark Proulx for providing details of LtCol. McGinn's Ground Crew (338th FS).
   

• 28 July 2011 - Just been given the sad news that Lester 'Buck' Earls passed away on 30th June.  My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Capt. Lester Lee Earls (38th FS)
 

• 14 July 2011 - I have been contacted by Susan Scott about her Dad John Ostapchenko.  I have been unable to reply to the email address given, so Susan if you read this can you please email me back from another email account and we'll try again.  John Ostapchenko was in the 97th SG, Headquarters Squadron, Det A.
   

• 04 July 2011 - Added a page for 1/Lt. Alway (338th FS).  My thanks to Charles Eder for pointing out my typo and for the additional information on Lt. Alway.
   

• 24 June 2011 - Apologies for lack of updates.  I have had some health issues to deal with, but now on the mend.  Have amended the details of 42-67079 on the Aircraft Serial Numbers page.  My thanks to Don Morrison for correcting my error.
   

• 07 April 2011 - Added another photo to Lt. Wickenden's page (343rd FS)
   

• 06 April 1944 - Finally ID'd a photo that Bob Littlefield sent me a while back.  Added a photo of Lt. Caldwell (38th FS) to his page.
   

• 31 March 2011 - Added Maj. Bollwerk's Encounter Report for the 18th March 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 30 March 2011 - Added more detail to Maj. Ryan's page, Capt. Brown's page, Lt. C. O. Williams' page, Capt. Sorace's page and Capt. Buttke's page (all 343rd FS).
   

• 28 March 2011 - Added more detail to Capt. Parker's page and Lts. Lawrence, Porter and King's pages (all 343rd FS).  My thanks to Hans Hauprich for the additional information re: Lt. King.
   

• 26 March 2011 - Added some more detail concerning the claims made on 15th Jan 1945 by Lts. Clemmons and Courtney (both 38th FS) to their pages.
   

• 25 March 2011 - Added Capt. Watts' Combat Report for the 5th Feb '44 to the Encounter Reports page.  Also added a better photo of Capt. Watts (38th FS) to his page.
   

• 13 March 2011 - Added LtCol. Jones' (338th FS) Combat Report for the 05th January 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 13 March 2011 - Added two photos to Lt. Wilton Erickson's page (38th FS).  My thanks to the Erickson family for sharing Wilton's information with me.
   

• 10 March 2011 - Added a photo to Lt. McMillen's page (338th FS).
   

• 08 March 2011 - Added Maj. Hoeper's (343rd FS) Combat Report for the 10th February 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.

• 06 March 2011 - Added Capt. Odegard's (338th FS) Encounter Report for the 04th March '44 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 06 March 2011 - Have added more detail to Lt. Paul Fisher's page (38th FS)
   

• 04 March 2011 - Added Lt.Fruh's  (338th FS) encounter reports for the 4th and 18th March 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 25 February 2011 - Added Capt. Ayers' (38th FS) combat report for the 31st January 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 25 February 2011 - Added LtCol. Shipman's (HdQts) engagement report for the 29th January 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 21 February 2011 - Added Lt. Tipton's (38th FS) encounter report from 11th January 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 19 February 2011 - Added a page for Lt. Stein (3rd SF).
   

• 15 February 2011 - Added Maj. Penn's Combat Statement from 11th January 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 13 February 2011 - Added some more detail to Lt. Michaelson's page (343rd FS).
   

• 13 February 2011 - Added some more mission detail to  Maj. Beaird's page (HdQts).
   

• 13 February 2011 - Added some more mission detail to Lt. Paul Fisher Jr.'s page (38th FS)
   

• 11 February 2011 - Added Capt. Wyche's (38th FS) combat report for the 05th January 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 09 February 2011 - Tidied up this page and archived off a lot of update detail from 2009 and 2010.  See Archived news page for historic updates.
   

• 07 February 2011 - Added a photo of Lt. Leslie's (343rd FS) P-51 to his page.  Also added it to the 343rd FS Planes page.
   

• 04 February 2011 - Added a new photo to the Maintenance Images page (of a 343rd FS P-51).  Also added a photo to the General Aircraft Images page (of a crashed 338th FS P-51C).  Both new images courtesy of Wim Kersten.
   

• 01 February 2011 - Added some more information to Lt. Paul Fisher Jr.'s page (38th FS)
   

• 31 January 2011 - Added some additional photos and information to Lt. Paul Fisher Jr.'s page (38th FS). My thanks to his family, for the scans and for the additional information.
   

• 31 January 2011 - Added a photo of P-38H 42-67032 to 1/Lt. Fluty's page (343rd FS) and to the 343rd FS Planes page.
   

• 29 January 2011 - Added some more information to Lt. Michaelson's page (343rd FS).  My thanks to Syd Edwards for the additional info.
   

• 27 January 2011 - Added a photo to Maj. Beaird's page (HdQts).  My thanks to both Bob Littlefield and Terran Tidwell for sharing and getting me the photo.
   

• 14 January 2011 - Added Lt. Thompson's (38th FS) encounter report for the 05th Jan '44, to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 09 January 2011 - Added 1/Lt. Steiner's (38th FS) Encounter Reports for the 5th Jan 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 08 January 2011 - Added detail of Capt. Parker's second P-51 to his page and the 343rd FS Planes page.  My thanks to Martin Kyburz for providing the evidence of the coding and serial number.
   

• 05 January 2011 - Added a page for 1/Lt. Bud Searby to the 3rd Scouting Force Pilots page.  My thanks to Paul Webber for sharing Bud's photos with me.  More photos of Bud will be uploaded shortly.
   

• 05 January 2011 - Happy New Year to you all!  First update of the new year.  Have added a better photo of LtCol. Hayes to his page.
   

• 27 December 2010 - Added a number of Post War P-51 serial numbers to the Aircraft Serial Numbers page.  My thanks to Martin Kyburz for his help and continued assistance with all things P-51.  Cheers Martin.
   

• 20 December 2010 - Added two of Capt. Hancock's (38th FS) encounter reports to the Encounter Reports page.
   

• 12 December 2010 - Added a better photo and all the mission detail to Lt. Littlefield's page (38th FS).
   

• 12 December 2010 - Added a small photo of Lt. Monty (38th FS) to his page.
   

• 06 December 2010 - Added small photo of Lt. Foster (338th FS) to his page.  My thanks to Chip Hailey for scanning in yet another yearbook for me...much appreciated Chip!
   

• 01 December 2010 - Added some additional photos to Lt. William M. Lewis Jr.'s page (38th FS) and Lt. Rosenoff's page (343rd FS).  All new images courtesy of Jan Zdiarský from the Museum of Air Battle over the Ore Mountains (WWW.MUSEUM119.CZ)
   

• 30 November 2010 - Added some more detail to Lt. Kenning's page (343rd FS).  My thanks to Nancy for sharing her Uncle's information and to Nancy's Mother for supplying the detail.
   

• 28 November 2010 - Added a photo of Lt. Dauchy (338th FS) to his page. My thanks to Charles Eder for the photo of Lt. Dauchy and for his continued support.
   

• 24 November 2010 - Have added some more detail to Lt. Langelier's page (343rd FS).  My thanks to Bernd Richter for his continued support and for sharing the latest information on the search for Daniel.
   

• 23 November 2010 - Have added some more photos to Lt. Kenning's page (343rd FS).  My continued thanks to Nancy for sharing her Uncle's photos.
   

• 21 November 2010 - Finally (!) got the new PC up and running and installed all the relevant software!  My thanks to Nancy Dornette for sharing photos of Lt. Kenning (343rd FS).  I have added Lt. Kenning's photo to the Memorial Page and will add some more photos to his page very shortly.
   

• 08 November 2010 - Added LtCol. Shipman's encounter report for the 05th Jan 1944 to the Encounter Reports page.  Also added more mission detail and award detail to LtCol. Shipman's page (HQ and 38th FS)
   

• 08 November 2010 - Long period away from the computer, so apologies for lack of recent updates.  Added a better photo of Lt. Jaklich to the Memorial page.  My thanks to Terran for copying Bob's photos, and to Bob Littlefield for allowing Terran to copy and share them.  Thanks both!
   

• 12 October 2010 - Added Lt. Gehrig's P-51D "Hiya Myrt" to the 343rd FS Planes page.  Also added a photo of Cpl. Ciamaricone standing in front of it to his page.
   

• 12 October 2010 - Added some more detail to Lt. Patterson's page, Capt. Rosenburgh's page, Lt. Littlefield's page, Lt. Tracey's page, and Capt. Wyche's page (all 38th FS).
   

• 12 October 2010 - Added some more detail to the Unit Statistics page
   

• 11 October 2010 - Added a better photo to Capt. Rosenburgh's page (38th FS)
   

• 11 October 2010 - Have added extra detail to Capt. Holderman's page, Lt. Jones' page, Lt. Beckett's page, Lt. Jaklich's page and Lt. Koenig's page (all 38th FS).
   

• 06 October 2010 - Added some more detail to Capt. Earls' page (38th FS).
   

• 06 October 2010 - Added some more detail to Capt. Des Voignes' page (38th FS).
   

• 28 September 2010 - Added a better photo and more information to Lt. Walker's page (343rd FS)
   

• 28 September 2010 - Added more detail to Lt. McGinnis' page (38th FS)
   

• 20 September 2010 - Added more detail to Lt. Gibbs' page, Lt. Mearns' page and Lt. Milner's page (all 343rd FS).
   

• 18 September 2010 - Added small amount of extra detail to Capt. DeYoung's page (343rd FS).
   

• 18 September 2010 - Added a new photo to Lt. Blair's page (343rd FS) and also some small amount of extra detail.
   

• 18 September 2010 - Added a new photo to Lt. Bauer's page (343rd FS) and also some small amount of extra detail.
   

• 08 September 2010 - Added a photo and more information to Lt. Dupuy's page (38th FS).  My thanks to Charles Eder for the photo of Lt. Dupuy.
   

• 07 September 2010 - Added a photo and more information to Lt. Doolan's page (338th FS).  My thanks to Charles Eder for the photo of Lt. Doolan.
   

• 06 September 2010 - Added another photo to Lt. Knudson's page (338th FS).  My thanks to Tom Gibson for allowing me to share the photo on the website.
   

• 04 September 2010 - Added a better photo of Capt. Gustke (HdQts) to his page.
   

• 04 September 2010 - Added some more information on Cpl. McGraw (343rd FS).
   

• 03 September 2010 - Added another photo to Lt. Baranick's page (338th FS).  My thanks to Terry Murray and her grandmother for sharing the photo.
   

Archived News Items (click this link to see older items of news)