THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Air Fore Cross citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow airmen. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear Col. Dean Pogreba, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Fighter-Bomber Pilot. You are still MIA. Please come home. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Memorial Day weekend when our nation remembers those of you who paid the ultimate price. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Be at peace.

On the remembrance of your 99th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

POW-MIA...Never Forget

"Greater love hath no man..."

HOOAH

CITATION:
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.

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Dean Andrew Pogreba, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 10 May 1953, in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea, as pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. Captain Pogreba was leading his flight of F-86's escorting a group of fighter bombers that were striking the most heavily defended target in North Korea. Two minutes before reaching the target, approximately fifty enemy MiG-15's attacked the friendly aircraft. Captain Pogreba promptly engaged twenty-four of these enemy aircraft, luring them away from the much slower and very vulnerable fighter bombers. Greatly outnumbered, Captain Pogreba utterly disregarded his personal safety by repeatedly engaging this overwhelming force, and exercised such superior skill, judgment, and courage, that he frequently gained the offensive over the MiG's. Captain Pogreba continued his heroic action until the fighter bombers had completed their mission and withdrawn from the area. By his tenacious aerial ability and exceptional courage in the face of the enemy, Captain Pogreba insured the success of this vitally important and extremely dangerous mission. By his extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, Captain Pogreba has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.