Lonnie Ortega Aviation Art

Print Size: 12" x 13.50" ~ Open End Edition

 Urban L. "Ben" Drew was born in Detroit, Michigan on 21 March 1924. He entered the USAAF in October 1942 and graduated in Class 43-I from marian, Florida. Lieutenant Drew was assigned to the replacement base at Bartow, Florida and after completion of the course he was retained as an instructor in P-51's. In May 1944 he was given an overseas assignment, sailing on the Queen Elizabeth for England. Drew was assigned to 375th Fighter Squadron, 361st Fighter Group based at Bottisham, Cambridgeshire. Later the group moved to Little Walden, Essex. During his tour with the "Yellowjackets", Drew Completed 75 missions, rising to command of "A" Flight and the 375th Squadron. Among his victories, most noteable were the two Messerschmitt 262's on 7 October 1944.This combat made Ben Drew the first Allied airman to destroy two German jets in aerial combat, and years later he received the Air Force Cross for the event. Also, with two wingmen, he he destroyed the only Luftwaffe six-engine flying boat at Bug Seaplane Base in Northern Germany. At the completion of his ETO tour, Drew was transferred to various training bases in the U.S. In 1945 he was assigned to the 413th Fighter Squadron, 414th Fighter Group, Flying P-47 N's at Iwo Jima in the Bonin Islands. Ben Drew ended the war with 6 aerial victories. Note: "Ben" Drew passed away April 3, 2013.