This Military Service Page was created/owned by
TSgt Michael Ceballos (CB)
to remember
Pogreba, Dean Andrew, Col.
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War 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 (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] Dean Andrew Pogreba United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105D aircraft while serving on temporary duty with the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, in action in Southeast Asia on 5 October 1965.
On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Pogreba participated as a pilot and mission coordinator for a strike against a highly significant military target. Despite the extreme difficulty of overcast cloud layers, haze, and rain showers, Lieutenant Colonel Pogreba flew at low level through mountain passes to the target area while encountering devastating automatic weapons and anti-aircraft artillery fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel Pogreba climbed to 9,000 feet into over-hanging clouds, which made him highly vulnerable to the hostile ground fire, and delivered his ordnance directly on the target. Lieutenant Colonel Pogreba then emerged from the clouds and though still subjected to intensive ground fire, assisted the other members of his flight in their weapons deliver, assuring complete destruction of this vital target.
His courageous actions and determination are in keeping with the highest traditions of the American fighting man under attack by an opposing armed force. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Major Pogreba reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Action Date: October 5, 1965, Service: Air Force, Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Company: 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TDY), Division: Yokota Air Base, Japan
Other Comments:
This Veteran has an (IMO) In Memory Of Headstone in Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial, Hawaii
At the end of his career, Col. Dean Pogreba served with the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 6441st Tactical Fighter Wing, 13th Air Force, Takhli RTAFB, Thailand. He was flying TDY from his home base with the 49th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Yakota, Japan
He had entered the Army Reserve in October 1942. He entered the AAF Cadet Program in February 1943 and was commissioned in April 1943. He was then trained as a C-47 and C-46 Commando pilot with service the 4th Combat Cargo Group in India and Burma (CBI Theater) 1944-45. leaving active duty and joining the Reserves in June 1946.
With the outbreak of the Korean War, Captain Pogreba entered active duty in April 1951. He was trained as an F-96 pilot and served with the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing in Korea in the later part of 1953. He was credited with shooting down one MiG-15 in combat.
He remained on active duty until his loss in Vietnam, serving in numerous bases and command positions including pilot training.
In 1965 he was the commander of the 562nd Tactical Fighter Squadron at McConnell AFB (May-July 1965). Then, he served as Operations Officer for the 49th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Yokota AB, Japan including service in SEA at Takhli RTAFB on TDY status with the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
He was lost during operations aboard his F-105D (#62-4295).
Air Force Cross with "V" device
Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War 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 (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] Dean Andrew Pogreba United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105D aircraft while serving on temporary duty with the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, in action in Southeast Asia on 5 October 1965.
On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Pogreba participated as a pilot and mission coordinator for a strike against a highly significant military target. Despite the extreme difficulty of overcast cloud layers, haze, and rain showers, Lieutenant Colonel Pogreba flew at low level through mountain passes to the target area while encountering devastating automatic weapons and anti-aircraft artillery fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel Pogreba climbed to 9,000 feet into over-hanging clouds, which made him highly vulnerable to the hostile ground fire, and delivered his ordnance directly on the target. Lieutenant Colonel Pogreba then emerged from the clouds and though still subjected to intensive ground fire, assisted the other members of his flight in their weapons deliver, assuring complete destruction of this vital target.
His courageous actions and determination are in keeping with the highest traditions of the American fighting man under attack by an opposing armed force. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Major Pogreba reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Action Date: October 5, 1965 Service: Air Force Rank: Lieutenant Colonel Company: 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TDY) Division: Yokota Air Base, Japan
