IN MEMORIAM
I just received word from Cheryl Dart at the Museum of Flight that Jack Ilfrey passed away on October 15th. and was laid to rest next to his parents, in Houston, Texas, on October 19th. I am, for once speechless...

I have recently been contacted by a number of people related to the 20th. FG in some way and will be including alot of new information once it arrives. I added a photograph of Royal Frey, which I received from Ann Davis, and have taken the information provided by the family of Capt. Terrence Williams and created a Biography page for him. The latter is very interesting as it contains letters from an eyewitness to Capt. Williams' downing. I also have been contacted by the family of Al North and hope to have a biogrpahy for him finished in the near future. I also recently received a book from the cousin of a downed RCAF airman who was buried in the same cemetary as Lt. Denis Allison. I am hoping to include some of this information as it superficially adds a few clues to the Alison mystery.

The granddaughter of Maj. Gen. Russell Gustke recently sent me a copy of a handwritten story he wrote, as well as a photograph, I have included them here.

Capt. Art Heiden also has passed on the news that Martin Caidin's excellent book Fork-Tailed Devil, which Heiden contributed to in many ways, will be reprinted and available again around June 1st.

I have added another great article by David Knight to the 20th. FG site. This is a tribute to Maj. Donald McAuley that he wrote back in 1986. An amazing read and another great man cut down too early in his life. In addition Jean Pierre has submitted photogrpahs of the 2002 Memorial Ceremony in McAuley's Honor, it can be found here.

On March 28th. I received this e-mail from the staff of Military.com:
Our editors have selected your site as one of the best military sites on the Web. Military.com recognizes your website as a valued resource for the military community. We salute you and your efforts. In appreciation, we would like to present you with our Distinguished Military Site Award. Earning this award entitles you to display the award on your site for the remainder of 2001.

Not only am I honored but I am humbled to have these sites recognized in such a manner. This award belongs not to me, however, it belongs to all of the great people associated with the 20th. and 1st. Fighter Groups and to the man who inspired this site, Maj. Jack M. Ilfrey.

Speaking of reviews, Corey Jordan has posted a review of the new version of the book on his excellent website The Planes and Pilots of WWII Internet Magazine. This same review will be appearing on a national bookseller's site as well. To view it Click Here. Corey and Carlo Kopp's article concerning the P-38 Lightning (which used extensive information provided by our own Capt. Art Heiden and some photographs from the Hudgens Collection,) is appearing in an international aviation magazine. I'll update everyone as soon as I know more.

I have asked Kim to put together a story about this search for inclusion on the sites. Appearantly they have been working on this for many years.
This is the same mission where Col. Cy Wilson, Lt. Alphonso Kent and Lt. Edward Doering were also shot down, indeed another dark day in the 20th.'s history.

Capt. Chris Pannell presents Bob Cardin, the head of the "Glacier Girl" Restoration Group, a copy of "King's Cliffe" for the "Glacier Girl" Museum. (Photo courtesy of Capt. Pannell)

The series is being released as a four-video/eight episode set for two payments of 29.99 and are now hosted by tv-movie actor Cliff Robertson. An additional 16 minute video and poster are also included in the purchase price. Jack only appears in two episodes but these tapes include interviews with a virtual who's who of aces from every country involved in WW2.

The number to call and order the tapes is 1-800-545-9449. There is also an address where you can order the tapes via snail mail but I missed it.

This just in, die-cast replica of "Happy Jack's Go Buggy", "California Cutie" and "Gentle Annie" are now available. Click the button above for more information!

Also, I have been asked about what a "short snorter" is, and as luck would have it, I found an excellent article on just that subject in the Air Force Home Page's archives.Enjoy!

I just had a look at the tracker for these sites and I am amazed by the amount of international visitors there have been, people from the following countries have viewed the sites: United Kingdom, Japan, Czech Republic, Finland, Poland, Brazil, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Spain, Denmark and France. And this is just since April, when the tracker was added!

I have received a few e-mails regarding King's Cliffe, the outstanding history of the 20th.FG put together by Maj. Edward Steiner and Capt. H.W. Howard, and I have created a page with all of the information you need to order a copy of your own, where to get microfilm records of the 20th. and where to find Jack Ilfrey's autobiography Happy Jack's Go Buggy, simply CLICK HERE! Remember, if you order a copy of Happy Jack's Go Buggy through the site,a percentage of the cost goes toward keeping the sites going.Also, remember, Jack himself is selling autographed copies from his home, just contact me and I'll tell you how to get one!

Once again thank you to all of the individuals who have contributed to this site and their families! Your input is much welcomed and wanted!

I HOPE YOU AND YOURS THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, AND IF YOU GET IT, REMEMBER IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SACRIFICES OF MEN LIKE JACK ILFREY AND THE MEN OF THE 1ST. AND 20TH. FIGHTER GROUPS THAT YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO DO SO!

- Syd Edwards, Webmaster, Honorary Member, 20th. Ftr. Grp. Assoc., 8th. AF Historical Society, Confederate Air Force, A.O.P.A. -

The 20th.FG patch that Max Pyles sent me and a current 20th.FW patch from my collection.