79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group

Ilfrey's hometown was Houston, Texas. Before joimning the 20th FG, he had served with the 1st Fighter Group and five victories were scored with the North Africa based outfit. One of his victories with the 20th was rather unusual. On 24 May 1944, he had just shot down one ME-109 and was beginning a turn when another of the German fighters bore in from straight ahead. The two planes collided and Ilfrey's wingtip was shredded. Ilfrey was able to nurse his crippled P-38 home but the German was not so lucky. His P-38, "Happy Jack's Go Buggy" was coded MC O serial Number 43-38431. His later P-51 may have also been coded MC O.