Urban L. Drew
| Urban Leonard Drew | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | Ben |
| Born |
March 21, 1924 Detroit, Michigan |
| Died | April 3, 2013 (aged 89) Vista, California |
| Buried | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army Air Forces
|
| Years of service | 1942 – 1950 |
| Rank |
 Major
|
| Unit |
54th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 414th Fighter Group Michigan Air National Guard |
| Commands held | 375th Fighter Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
 Air Force Cross Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Air Medal (14) |
Urban Leonard Drew (March 21, 1924 – April 3, 2013), known as Ben Drew, was a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Forces and a flying ace. He was the first and the only Allied pilot to shoot down two Luftwaffe jet-powered Me-262 aircraft in a single mission while flying a propeller-driven North American P-51 Mustang. He received the Air Force Cross for the mission in 1983.
Drew was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1924, he was raised along with a younger brother by their schoolteacher mother. His father died when Drew was at the age of 3. He received his education at Wayne University and the University of Michigan, graduating with a degree in Political Science.
Three months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, at the age of eighteen, Drew joined the United States Army Air Forces and commenced pilot training.
He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on May 14, 1942, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program in October 1942.
Drew was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings in Marianna Army Field on October 1, 1943, and began training as an instructor pilot for the North American P-51 Mustang at Bartow Field and then served as a P-51 Mustang instructor pilot with the 56th Fighter Squadron of the 54th Fighter Group.
He went overseas in May 1944 and was assigned to the 375th Fighter Squadron of the 361st Fighter Group, which was stationed at RAF Bottisham and later at RAF Little Walden.
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Wikipedia