SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - The headquarters of the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing is being renamed in honor of a World War II veteran who commanded the unit for nearly 20 years.
A ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon to rename the wing’s HQ building after the late Brig. Gen. Curtis J. Irwin. The 174th is based at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, just north of Syracuse.
Irwin commanded the 174th from 1958 to 1973 and again from 1975 to 1977.
Born and raised in the Syracuse area, Irwin was a decorated fighter pilot for the Army Air Corps during WWII, flying P-47 Thunderbolts in the Pacific Theater.
Irwin retired in 1978 after more than 35 years of military service. He died in 2011 at age 88.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.