Kevin,
 
Re: Scott's comment about transitioning from B-17's to fighters.  From the MACR I posted earlier we know that as early as June 7, 1944 he was the CO of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron (item 15 at the bottom of the report).
 
Hal

No other information available, ABMC is where I found that info as well. I do beleive that is where he would come in from though, as much of my father's family is from VT.

Wow, that is some good stuff. I was just asking my Dad for more VT info when I got the message about this. Thanks

ORIGINAL: SHAEF1944

415th NFS jacket with lots of goodies.
Guy who has the patch website says he has an original 415th " Donald Duck " squadron patch 

http://members.aol.com/brimiljeep/WebPages/PLxAAFSqPatchAAF370.html

 
 
Boy, that would make for a sharp display, huh? I would love to do something like a full mannequin in period uniform and jacket with all the gear but the $$$ say NO. I have the same dilemma right now. I am trying to put together a somewhat newer version, a mid 80s to mid 90s Army Crew chief. I have the flight suit with name tag and patches, SPH-4 helmet, vest, gloves , boots and an OH-58 Tail Rotor for him to hold, but no mannequin to put it all together with. Oh well, someday maybe. The wife would’nt let me put him in the house anyway. I would have to keep him at work. I always thought it would be cool though.

Hi Scott
 
The earlier posting for the IDPF details i copied and pasted from an earlier e-mail. I was wondering where the research section had gone since the website upgrade!
 
Regards
 
Chris.

Thanks Vic, Things are starting to come together. This is very exciting! I can't wiat to find out when and where all the other pieces will fall into place.

Sad to report that Harold Augspurger passed away a few months ago. I did get to meet with him and share some of the materials I had collected about Varillus. Many of those items were thanks to you guys and others that pointed me in direction that paid off big time. He was a charming gentleman that did remeber Varillus. He signed a rare 415th NFS book that I had aquired. I am still trying to gather more info on Varillus O. Jones such as where he recieved his flight training etc. Keep up the good work!

Beaufighter 415 NFS,31th December 1944,Airstrip A-96 Ochey,France.
Aircraft crashed between Noroy and Lievans,France.
 
Captain Varillus O.Jones,0793117,pilot
2/Lt.Mervin H.Sussman,01692661,Radar/Observer
 
The aircraft took off from Airstrip A-96,Ochey,France,31 December 1944 on a Night Intruder Mission.They were vectored on an unidentifed aircraft at 19.06 hours,at 19.24 hours Captain Jones reported the aircraft as friendlt,but had been fired upon.
 
The radio log showed the aircraft crashing shortly after this about 30 miles South of Luxeul,France.A searching party was sent out from the 67th Military Police Station in Vesoul,France.They located the crash between Noroy and Lievans,France.The aircraft had exploded and was burning.2/Lt.Sussmans body was found and positive indentification made.
 
2/Lt.Sussman was buried by a Jewish Chaplain,Captain Harold I.Saperstein in the US Cemetery at Epinal,France,plot 2a,row 24,grave 3883.