McElroy, Ivan W. (Ivan Wilson), 1913-2004

Ivan Wilson McElroy (b. 1913, Austin, Tex.-d. June 12, 2004), U.S. Air Force officer, served in the Texas National Guard for several years before graduating from West Point in 1937. He completed Air Corps Flying School in 1938 and transferred to the Air Corps. During World War II, he was group operations officer, 51st Pursuit Group, operating in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. Later in the War, he commanded the 80th Fighter Group, known for intercepting a Japanese raid and shooting down all 25 fighter aircraft and most of the attacking bombers without losing a single airplane or pilot. In the 1950s, General McElroy served as assistant chief of staff for plans and operations, 3rd Air Force, in England, and as commander, 81st Fighter Bomber Wing. Following a number of assignments in the U.S., he retired in 1967.