Av. ILIE DUMITRU - Info help

I need informations about ILIE DUMITRU, fighter pilot in WW2. He left Romania probably in 1947, and lived in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. Originary from Visina-Veche, jud. Olt, he died in his native village in 1968, 55 years old.
I would like to make a small biography of this man who was one of my grandmother's brother.
Thank you !

This post has been edited by Chris T on August 29, 2013 07:40 am

Adj. av Ilie Dumitru units :
Grupul 8 Vanatoare IAR 80 A (1941-1943)
Grupul 6 Vanatoare IAR 81 C (1943-1944)

Aerial victories 8
23.08.41- 1 x DB-3 bomber
26.08.41- 1 x I-16 fighter
30.08.41- 1 x SB-2 bomber
15.09.41- 1 x I-16 fighter
14.09.42- 2 x IAK fighters
10.06.44 - 2 x P-38 fighters

Probably victories 2
01.08.43- 2 x B-24 bombers ( Tidal Wave)

This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on July 25, 2013 09:44 am

I see he is one of the Roumanian Aces of WWII!
He was wounded on 23.06.1944, according to :
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/...-a-37605-2.html

One of the best Vizanty men from Grupul 6 vanatoare.

http://prinbrasov.com/2012/06/10-iunie-194...ns-from-brasov/

This post has been edited by Mihai Popteanu on July 26, 2013 02:19 pm

He was one of the highest scoring IAR-80 fighter pilots and one of the few Romanian airmen that received the Officer class of the Virtutea Aeronautica Order. It was a very high distinction for any pilot and not so easily awarded to NCOs.

Royal Decree 3037/4 November 1941
Adj. av. Dumitru Ilie receives the Knight class of the Virtutea Aeronautica Order (he did not receive the lower class, the Gold Cross, first, but directly the higher one, the Knight class) for having flown 104 missions on the front and having shot down five aircraft confirmed and one probable. He was hit twice in air combat and he has performed 8 ground attacks.

He then went on to receive the first bar to the Knight class through Royal Decree 1933/19 May 1943 and the second bar to the Knight class through Royal Decree 1821/6 October 1944. In the mean time he had been promoted to the rank of adjutant major av..

Through Royal Decree 2348/29 July 1946, he received the officer class of the Virtutea Aeronautica Order.

It is very likely he also received the Virtutea Militara medal, given his record.

Thank you, I appreciate and I am grateful to all! I will post more info here as long as I will get it.

Best regards,

Cristian

He was part of the 6th Fighter Group (61st Fighter Squadron) already in 1942.

Do I understand this correctly? He emigrated to the USA in 1947 then after a while he returned to Rumania?

Gen. Dénes

The profile of adj. av. Dumitru Ilie was added to the Pilot's Profile section. Many thanks to Chris for providing the biographical info.

Respect to Victor for his wonderful work in documentation in order to inform the people about hidden and unknown informations regarding romanian real history. The profile of my uncle (adj.av. Dumitru Ilie) added on this site could possibly make some connections between interested people, but for sure it is a recognition of one of our heroes.
Thank you, Victor !

I have added also the photo Chris sent me.

Very nice. Thanks for posting!

PS. the photo should be flipped horizontally (tunic buttons, medal bars and his „furajeră” are on the wrong side).

Yes, I know, but the photo was probably flipped when it was processed to be installed on the tombstone.

Off course, what I meant was that, in order to be more accurate, the photo should be flipped horizontally (its not necessary, its just an observation).


screenshot capture

Two best friends: adj. av. Marin Stavarache (b. 27.12.1912, Măldăieni-Măgureni, near Roșiorii de Vede, Teleorman county - d. 27.04.1973, București) (the brother of my grandfather) (My ARR photos, Adj. Av. Marin Stavarache) and adj. av. Dumitru Ilie (aka Miu, nicknamed Păr) (b. ??.??.1913, Vișina Veche, near Corabia, Olt county – d. 16.07.1968).


In the summer of 1940, after the accident of May 15th, 1940. You can see the burns on the face and eyelids of Adj. av. Stavarache Marin.


Aripi Românești mai 1944 nr 63,64 p04,05