Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Cecil
Oree
Dean
POW (WWII)
May 11, 1920

–

August 15, 1976

Born:

Knox Hill

, 

Florida

Home:

Knox Hill

, 

Florida

During World War II, Cecil Dean became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, before he was forced to bail out of his own airplane over enemy territory and was captured. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1964 as a Major.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    317th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    325th Fighter Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Cecil Oree Dean (ASN: 0-1703099), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    317th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    325th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    July 2, 1944 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 6358

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Cecil Oree Dean (ASN: 0-1703099), United States Army Air Forces, bailed out of his fighter airplane after a mid-air crash over enemy territory on 2 July 1944, and was captured by German force was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.