Irwin H. Dregne
Irwin Hendrick Dregne (2 January 1917–18 September 1967) was a colonel in the United States Air Force and commanded the 357th Fighter Group during World War II from 2 December 1944 – 21 July 1945.[1][2]
Irwin Hendrick Dregne | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 2, 1917 Viroqua, Wisconsin |
| Died | September 8, 1967 (aged 50) |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | .svg.png){kind=small} |
  | |
| Years of service | 1941-1967 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Service number | 0-431399 |
| Commands held | 357th Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group 51st Fighter Interceptor Group 479th Day Wing |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean Conflict |
World War II
Dregne's P-51 Mustang "Bobby Jeane" (C5-Q) is 5th from the end
Dregne succeeded Lt. Col. John D. Landers as commander of the 357th Fighter Group in December 1944 and served in that capacity through July of 1945. Landers took command of the 78th Fighter Group at RAF Duxford in February 1945.
Korean War
Dregne commanded the 51st Fighter Interceptor Group during the Korean War.
Awards and Decorations
Dregne was an ace and was credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during a bomber escort mission to Derben, Germany on 14 January 1945.
References
- Chris Bucholtz (20 December 2012). Mustang Aces of the 357th Fighter Group. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 95–. ISBN 978-1-84603-986-7.
- Martin W. Bowman (1 January 2009). US 8th Army Air Force Fighter Command USAAF, 1943-45: P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang Squadrons in East Anglia, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Casemate Publishers. pp. 118–. ISBN 978-1-84415-905-5.
External links
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