Photo submitted to the Times Observer

This National Forge Employee Band photo was taken in October 1942. Only some are identified: First Row: Kermit Vicander, row 1-2, Wade Ransom, Ernest Brown, row 1-5, row 1-6, row 1-7, and Milt Hoven. Second Row: row 2-1, row 2-2, row 2-3, Rook Oviatt, Don Agnew, row 2-6, row 2-7, and row 2-8. Third Row: row 3-1, Freeman Brown, row 3-3, row 3-4, Bill Meleen, row 3-6, Tome Wise, and Willis Johnson. The National Forge Company was founded by Clinton E. Wilder in 1915 and moved to Irvine shortly after. The company started by manufacturing 37mm antitank gun barrels used in WWI and rumored to be an enemy military target in WWII. Today the National Forge Company is owned by EGI, located on Erie Avenue in Irvine. If you can help identify any of the unidentified members in the photo, email the Warren County Historical Society at warrencountyhistory@aol.com or call 723-1795.