Ioan Dicezare

Ioan Dicezare (August 12, 1916 in Bucharest – August 10, 2012 in Bucharest ) was a leading Romanian fighter pilot and flying ace in World War II. He was born and died in Bucharest.

On April 22, 1943, Dicezare engaged a Soviet bomber formation and shot down one A-20 Boston, which fell behind Axis lines. He then returned to the airfield and took the group's liaison Bf-108 Taifun. He landed near the crash site and took the pilot and the observer prisoner.

In over 500 combat operations, he was credited with 16 confirmed victories (and 3 probable) in aerial combat.

Dicezare died on 10 August 2012, at age 95. He was the last survivor of "Grupul 7 Vânătoare" pilots who managed to escape the Stalingrad encirclement.

Decorations and awards

Order of Michael the Brave, 3rd class (August 30, 1943) - campaign from Mariupol Order of Aeronautical Virtue, Gold Cross with two bars and Knight with two straps (1943) - campaigns in the USSR from 1943 Order of the Crown of Romania, 1st class with swords and Military Virtue ribbon (1943?) Iron Cross of 1939 2nd class (probably June 6, 1943) 1st class (probably August 17, 1943)