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To
All Who Shall See These Presents Greeting:
This is to Certify that
The President of the United States of America
Authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code
Takes Pride in Presenting
THE AIR FORCE CROSS
to
 DREW, URBAN L.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force
Cross to Urban L. Drew, Major (Air Corps) [then First Lieutenant], U.S. 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, 8th 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.
Born: March 21, 1924 at Detroit, Michigan
Home Town: Detroit, Michigan
Personal Awards: Air Force Cross (WWII), 2@ Distinguished Flying
Crosses, 14@ Air Medals
 SLOAN, WILLIAM J.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force
Cross to William J. Sloan, Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air
Forces, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed
enemy of the United States as Pilot of a P-38 aircraft in the 96th Fighter
Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, 12th Air Force, in the North African Theater of
Operations on 5 July 1943. On that date, Colonel Sloan led a flight of fighter
aircraft escorting thirty-six B-25 bombers in an attack on Gerbini Airdrome.
The formation encountered intense antiaircraft fire in the target area and was
attacked by ten enemy fighters. Colonel Sloan shot down two of the enemy
fighters and was conspicuous in driving the remaining hostile fighters away
from the bombers, all of which returned safely. Through his extraordinary
heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy,
Colonel Sloan reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States
Air Force.
Born: January 1, 1921 at Richmond, Virginia
Home Town: Richmond, Virginia
(Both of the above awards were
belated presentations. Major Drew was nominated for the DSC during
World War II, and it was denied. Decades later when new
information was uncovered, his nomination for the DSC was revived and,
since the Air Force now had its own award equal to the DSC, he received
the Air Force Cross. Similar circumstances led to a similar award
to William Sloan on or near the year 2000.)
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