Urban L. Drew

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 of World War II. 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.^[1]

Early life

Drew was born in

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.^[1][2]

Military service

World War II

He enlisted in the

He went overseas in May 1944 and was assigned to the

He was credited with 6 aerial victories, 1 ground victory, 1 damaged and 1 water kill, in which he and his wingman sank and burned the largest aircraft in world, the

His biggest day was on October 7, 1944, when he shot down 2 jet-powered

His appeal for the Distinguished Service Cross was denied, because of the lack of evidence for his kills; the gun camera of his P-51 had jammed and his wingman, 2nd Lt. Robert McCandliss was shot down and became a prisoner of war.^[5] However, he was awarded the Air Force Cross many years later in 1983.

Post-mission

After his service in Europe, Drew was transferred to various training bases in the U.S. In 1945 he was assigned to the

After the war, Drew helped organize the 127th Fighter Group of Michigan Air National Guard. He became deputy group commander and later was appointed the first Air Adjutant General of the State of Michigan.^[6] He served this position till he left active duty on 1950.

Belated recognition

More than 40 years later, an Air Force clerk noticed Drew's claim for two Me 262 victories on the same mission. She contacted a custodian of German war records who knew former Luftwaffe pilots who might be able to shed light on the claim.

Drew's decorations include:[8]

Air Force Cross citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Major (Air Corps) (then First Lieutenant) Urban L. "Ben" Drew, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane and Leader of Blue Flight, 375th Fighter Squadron, 361st Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force in action near Hamm, Germany, on 7 October 1944. On that date, Lieutenant Drew became the first Allied pilot to shoot down in combat two Me 262 aircraft. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, and in the dedication of his service to his country, Lieutenant Drew reflected the highest credit on himself and the United States Air Force.^[8]

Later life

After his retirement from military life, Drew established an aviation business in United Kingdom and South Africa.

Drew died on April 3, 2013, at Vista, California and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.^[8]

See also

• Harrison B. Tordoff

Works

• Powell, R.; Drew, Ben (2001). The Katzenjammer Ace. iUniverse.
  ISBN 978-0595206384
  .