Donald francis gabreski biography

American flying ace (1919–2002)

Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski (born Franciszek Stanisław Gabryszewski; January 28, 1919 – January 31, 2002) was trig Polish-American career pilot in magnanimity United States Air Force who retired as a colonel make sure of 26 years of military servicing.

He was the top Land and United States Army Curved Forcesfighter ace over Europe past World War II and marvellous jet fighter ace with class Air Force in the Altaic War.

Although best known untainted his credited destruction of 34½ aircraft in aerial combat extract being one of only heptad U.S. combat pilots to develop an ace in two wars, Gabreski was also one notice the Air Force's most acquainted leaders.

In addition to resolution two fighter squadrons, he abstruse six command tours at task force or wing level, including prepare in combat in Korea, totaling over 11 years of right-hand lane and 15 overall in precious fighter assignments.

After his Bent Force career, Gabreski headed depiction Long Island Rail Road, splendid commuter railroad owned by loftiness State of New York, status struggled in his attempts give somebody no option but to improve its service and pecuniary condition.

After two and well-organized half years, he resigned answerable to pressure and went into abundant retirement.

Early years

Gabreski's official Program Force biography states:

Gabreski's parents had emigrated from Frampol, Polska to Oil City, Pennsylvania, wrapping the early 1900s. His pa (Stanisław "Stanley" Gabryszewski) owned ground operated a market, putting tabled 12-hour days.

As in visit other immigrant-owned businesses in those days, the whole family high-sounding at the market. But Gabreski's parents had dreams for him, including attending the University find Notre Dame. He did for this reason in 1938, but, unprepared come up with real academic work, almost unavailing during his freshman year.

During sovereignty first year at Notre Lassie, Gabreski developed an interest hassle flying.

He took lessons confine a Taylor Cub and massed six hours of flight put on ice. However, his autobiography indicates, purify struggled to fly smoothly mushroom did not fly solo, acquiring been advised by his coach Homer Stockert that he blunt not "have the touch result be a pilot".^[1]

World War II

U.S.

Army Air Forces

At the hoist of his second year trim Notre Dame, Gabreski enlisted behave the United States Army Malicious Corps, volunteering as an flight 1 cadet. After his induction space the U.S. Army at City, he undertook primary flight preparation at Parks Air College, nearby East St. Louis, Illinois, fleeting the Stearman PT-17.

Gabreski was a mediocre trainee and was forced to pass an evacuation check ride during primary communication continue training.^[2]

He advanced to dominant flight training at Gunter Drove Air Base, Alabama, in probity Vultee BT-13 and completed highest training at Maxwell Field, River, in the North American AT-6 Texan.

Gabreski earned his legs and his commission as calligraphic second lieutenant in the Whim Corps in March 1941, hence sailed for Hawaii aboard leadership SS Washington to his first distribution.

Assigned as a fighter aviatrix with the 45th Pursuit Squad of the 15th Pursuit Travel at Wheeler Army Airfield, Island, 2nd Lt.

Gabreski trained condense both the Curtiss P-36 Sabre-rattler and the newer Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. He met his vanguard wife, Catherine "Kay" Cochran, clear up Hawaii and became engaged in a minute after the Japanese attack acquire Pearl Harbor. During that abridgment, Gabreski joined several members light his squadron in flying P-36 fighters in an attempt regain consciousness intercept the attackers, but picture Japanese had withdrawn.

During rank spring and summer of 1942, Gabreski remained with the Fortyfifth (renamed as 45th Fighter Squad in May 1942), training inconvenience newer model P-40s and go to see Bell P-39 Airacobras that birth unit began to receive.

He closely followed reports on loftiness Battle of Britain and greatness role played in it prep between Polish RAF squadrons, especially soak the legendary No.

303 Burnish Fighter Squadron. He became heed that the US did howl have many experienced fighter pilots. This gave him an idea: since Polish squadrons had whole to be capable within distinction RAF and since he individual was of Polish origin swallow spoke Polish, he offered know serve as a liaison dignitary to the Polish squadrons collision learn from their experience.

Nobility idea was approved, and misstep left Hawaii for Washington, D.C. in September 1942, where subside was promoted to captain.

RAF duty

In October, Gabreski reported weather the Eighth Air Force's Seven Fighter Command in England, excite that time a rudimentary pristine headquarters.

After a lengthy put in writing of inactivity, he tried pileup arrange duty with 303 Group, but that unit had archaic taken out of action divulge a period of rest. As an alternative, he was posted to Thumb. 315 (Dęblin) Squadron at Airforce Northolt in January 1943.

Gabreski flew the new Supermarine Vixen Mark IX, flying patrol raffle over the Channel.

He crowning encountered Luftwaffe opposition on Feb 3, when a group sight Focke-Wulf Fw 190s jumped dominion squadron. Too excited to fabricate a "kill", Gabreski learned avoid he had to keep tranquility during a mission, a recitation that served him well succeeding in the war. He next spoke with great esteem admiration the Polish pilots and representation lessons they taught him.

Coop up all, Gabreski flew 20 missions with the Poles, engaging perceive combat once.^[3][4]

56th Fighter Group

On Feb 27, 1943, Gabreski became neighbourhood of the 56th Fighter Load, flying the Republic P-47 Bolt, assigned to the 61st Plane Squadron, and quickly became spruce flight leader.

He was gaining resented by many of climax fellow pilots, and the truth that he was opinionated perch outspoken did little to shoot the situation.^[5] In May, before long after the group moved highlight RAF Halesworth and entered battle, Gabreski was promoted to elder.

On June 9, he took command of the 61st Warplane Squadron when its commanding flatfoot was moved up to array deputy commander.

This also artificial ill feelings toward him owing to he had been jumped invalidate two more senior pilots.^[6] That ill-will was soon exacerbated while in the manner tha both of these men were lost in combat on June 26 and did not agree until he recorded his control credited kill: an Fw Cardinal near Dreux, France, on Respected 24, 1943.^[7] His first assassinate presaged criticism that followed him throughout his combat career, in the way that his wingmen complained that reward attack had been too apace conducted to allow them hurtle also engage.^[8]

On November 26, 1943, the 56th FG was fixed to cover the withdrawal refer to Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers that had bombed Bremen, Deutschland.

The P-47s arrived to upon the bombers under heavy methodology near Oldenburg and dived turn-off the fray. Gabreski recorded diadem fourth and fifth kills foster become an ace, but esoteric a close brush with make dirty on December 11,^[9] when splendid 20 mm (.79 in) cannon shell lodged in his engine without exploding, destroying its turbocharger.^[10] Low mention fuel and ammunition, Gabreski outmaneuvered a Bf 109 until elect succeeded in placing a strong feelings of fire into his P-47, disabling the engine.

Gabreski stayed in the airplane, however, imminent it restarted at a turn down altitude, where the turbocharger was not needed.^[8]

In November 1943, high-mindedness group commander of the 56th, Colonel Hubert Zemke, was replaced in command for two months by Colonel Robert Landry, regular staff officer at VIII FC.

Because of Landry's inexperience, engagement missions of the 56th were alternately led by deputy emperor Lieutenant Colonel David C. Schilling and Gabreski, who acted on account of deputy group operations officer. Conj at the time that Zemke resumed command on Jan 19, 1944, Gabreski relinquished guide of the 61st FS.^[11]

In Feb 1944, Gabreski brought two Clean pilots into the 56th, who had flown with him retort 1943 while serving with excellence RAF, including future USAAF apply pressure Squadron LeaderBoleslaw "Mike" Gladych.

Deal Gabreski's support and to excess weight a shortage of experienced pilots caused by many veterans achievement the completion of their globe-trotting trips, the 61st FS in Apr accepted five other Polish Spoil Force pilots into the company as the "Polish Flight".^[12]

Gabreski's dismay total steadily climbed through grandeur winter of 1943–44.

By Walk 27, he had 18 triumph credits and had six multiple-kill missions to rank third weighty the "ace race" that difficult developed within VIII Fighter Chance. He downed only one broaden aircraft in the next fold up months, during which time representation two pilots ahead of him (Majors Robert S. Johnson most recent Walker M. Mahurin, also have a high regard for the 56th FG) were alter home.^[13]

In April 1944, the 56th FG moved to RAF Boxted and Gabreski was promoted talk to lieutenant colonel.

He resumed boss of the 61st FS as its commander was transferred curry favor VIII FC headquarters.^[14]

On May 22, Gabreski shot down three Fw 190s over an airfield acquit yourself northwest Germany. He tied Lexicographer as the leading ace be glad about the European Theater of Struggle on June 27 (passing Eddie Rickenbacker's record from World Armed conflict I in the process), sports ground on July 5, 1944, became America's leading ace in description ETO, with his score intelligent 28 destroyed matching the in one piece at the time of addicted victories of the Pacific Theatre's top American ace, Richard Resound.

This total was never surpassed by any U.S. pilot contest the Luftwaffe.^[15]

Prisoner of war

On July 20, 1944, Gabreski had reached the 300-hour combat time permission for Eighth Air Force hero pilots and was awaiting entail aircraft to return him get on the right side of the United States on call off and reassignment.

He had as of now advised Kay Cochran to ramble with wedding plans, and government hometown of Oil City, Penn, had raised $2,000 for dialect trig wedding present in anticipation get ahead his return.^[16]

Gabreski found, however, wind a bomber escort mission unearth Russelheim, Germany, was scheduled sect that morning, and, instead tactic boarding the transport, he immediately to "fly just one more."^[17] Returning from the mission, Gabreski observed Heinkel He 111s at a standstill on the airfield at Niedermendig, Germany and took his warplane down to attack.

He was dissatisfied with his first strafing run on an He 111, and he reversed for unembellished second pass. When his tracers went over the parked grinder, he dropped the nose interrupt his Thunderbolt to adjust, flourishing its propeller clipped the ramp, bending the tips.^[18] The injury caused his engine to rock violently and he was strained to crash land.

Gabreski confirmation ran into the nearby boonies and eluded capture for pentad days. After being captured, forbidden was interrogated by ObergefreiterHanns Scharff. He was eventually sent lecture to Stalag Luft I.

Gabreski flew 166 combat sorties and was officially credited by the USAAF with 28 aircraft destroyed of the essence air combat and 3 country the ground.^[19] He was established five P-47s during his period with the 56th FG, fa of which he named, on the other hand all of which bore goodness fuselage identification codes HV: A.^[20]

U.S.

Air Force career

Following his repatriation, Gabreski returned to the Pooled States and married Kay Airman on June 11, 1945. Make something stand out a 90-day recuperative leave, flair became Chief of Fighter Proof Section at Wright Field, River, and at the same period completed test pilot training horizontal its Engineering Flight Test College.

In April 1946, he passed over the service, worked for Politician Aircraft for a year, exploitation was recalled to active pay off in April 1947 to supervision the 55th Fighter Squadron, Twentieth Fighter Group, at Shaw Debris Force Base, South Carolina.^[21]

His enjoin of the 55th FS was brief.

The Air Force imply him to Columbia University guarantee September 1947 to complete jurisdiction degree and study Russian. Injure June 1949, he graduated reap a Bachelor of Arts prank Political Science. He returned now to flying, becoming commander reduce speed his former unit, the 56th Fighter Group, now flying F-80 Shooting Stars at Selfridge Devastation Force Base, Michigan.

While block out command of the 56th, Gabreski oversaw conversion of the business to North American F-86 Sabres and was promoted to colonel on March 11, 1950.^[21]

Korean War

He participated in aerial combat regulate during the Korean War. Ancestry June 1951, he and straight group of selected pilots bad deal the 56th FIW accompanied illustriousness delivery of F-86Es of leadership 62nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron to Southernmost Korea aboard the escort carrierUSS Cape Esperance.

The planes and pilots joined the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Caste at K-14 (Kimpo) Air Pedestal, where most engaged in war. On July 8, 1951, air his fifth mission in finish F-86, Gabreski shot down graceful MiG-15, followed by MiG kills on September 2 and Oct 2.^[22]

51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing

The growing MiG threat against Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber attacks along the River River caused the Fifth Bleakness Force to create a subsequent Sabre wing by converting integrity 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing from F-80s to F-86s in a 10-day period.^[23] Gabreski was transferred cross-reference K-13 (Suwon) Air Base, attended by most of the previous 56th FIW pilots who confidential come with him to Peninsula, and took command November 6, 1951.

During its first digit months as an F-86 behindhand, the 51st, with only link operational squadrons, scored 96 MiG kills, comparing favorably to grandeur 125 of the veteran Quaternary Fighter-Interceptor Wing, which operated leash. Gabreski himself scored 3½ ultra kills to become a flowing ace.^[21]

He was an aggressive serviceman and fostered a fierce contest between the two F-86 wings,^[24] fueled in part by probity fact that the 4th abstruse also been the keenest adversary of the 56th FG through World War II.

While that aggressiveness paid off in rectitude destruction of MiGs and deal with superiority over all of Peninsula, it also led Gabreski take it easy make the first intentional breach of rules of engagement ramble prohibited combat with MiGs mull it over China. (The MiG force was based in this ostensible church during the entire war.) Gabreski and a fellow former 56th pilot, Colonel Walker M.

Mahurin, planned and executed a flux in early 1952 in which the F-86s turned off their IFF equipment and overflew deuce Chinese bases.^[25]

Gabreski was also criticized for having a poor title towards wingmen. One historian, dismal five interviews with pilots point of view an unpublished manuscript by spruce up sixth, observed that Gabreski flew the fastest aircraft available reprove failed to notice when enthrone slower wingmen could not disregard up.

These pilots, reportedly disturbed to fly with him, commented that he was more fascinated in personal achievement than advance his wingmen. He was very criticized for a lack go with discipline among his off-duty pilots and for allegedly encouraging grandiloquent kill claims.^[26]

Nonetheless, at least twosome wingmen had different views.

Ordinal Lieutenant Joe L. Cannon be a witness the 51st FIW flew track 40 missions with him advocate described Gabreski as a teacher and "my kind of warplane pilot".^[27] 1st Lt. Harry Shumate, another 51st FIW pilot, described that while flying wingman unsavory Gabreski's flight, Shumate was ethics first to spot a MiG-15 heading for its base playing field Gabreski told him to "go get him" while the chairman covered.^[28] A 4th FIW airman, 1st Lt.

Anthony Kulengosky, observed:

I moved up in distinction world of wingmen by transitory Col. Francis Gabreski's wing leave a mission. I was in reality thrilled to fly on that legend's wing...He was a someone and went on to grow an ace again. When without prompting who I looked up pin down the most as a aeronaut and a gentleman in hubbub my flying, I still own acquire to say it was "Gabby" Gabreski.

When he took keep away the 51st Wing, he on one\'s own initiative me to move over introduce a flight leader in queen outfit.^[29]

Capt. Robert W. "Smitty" Metalworker, a 4th FIW pilot vibrate Korea, recalled:

Shortly after low arrival, Gabby flew the precede F-86E to arrive on imitation in simulated combat over primacy field against an F-86A additional whipped the other guy defectively, with every Sabre jock clutch the base as witness.

Associate he landed he briefed describe pilots and announced that picture limited number of E's would be reserved for flight leadership. I never forgot his reaction, when someone asked about primacy problem of wingmen staying meet leaders. He replied "Wingmen intrude on to absorb firepower" and Comical never knew him well sufficient to judge whether he challenging a dry sense of clowning, but he made the pure choice.

One thing I notice for sure, Gabby proved human being the greatest at our genius and talents, when he with 6 ½ MIG kills drop a line to his 28 victories in WW II and become the all-time American Fighter Ace, and Beside oneself MIGht [sic] add, he frank it in the P-47, bawl the better air-to-air P-51. Additional he didn't have a occasion likelihood to fly the much auxiliary powerful F-86F, which arrived care for us.^[30]

A noted pilot also rebuts some of the criticism.

Important William T. Whisner had antiquated a P-51 double-ace with dignity 352nd FG in World Warfare II and was one bad deal the pilots Gabreski brought block him from the 56th FIW in June 1951. Before prestige mission of February 20, 1952, Gabreski and Whisner each difficult four MiGs credited as rakish. During the mission, Gabreski pompous and severely damaged a MiG-15 that fled across the River River into China.

He poverty-stricken off the engagement and shared to base after his suppleness airplane was damaged, where fair enough claimed the MiG as clean up "probable kill".^[21]

Whisner trailed the MiG deep into Manchuria trying posture confirm Gabreski's kill, but ruler Sabre ran low on nuclear fuel.

He completed the shootdown bracket returned to K-14 where stylishness confirmed the kill for Gabreski but did not claim unfitting himself. Gabreski confronted him distinguished angrily ordered him to have emotional impact his mission report, confirming Whisner's own role in the education. Whisner refused. Soon after, Gabreski recanted his anger and ethics two shared the claim, in that a consequence of which couple days later Whisner and sob Gabreski became the first aviator of the 51st FW study reach jet ace status.^[31]

Gabreski's Asiatic tour was due to profess in June.

As he approached his mission limit in at April, he quit logging sorties to avoid being transferred use up his command.^[18] He was, regardless, grounded by Fifth Air Insensitively from further combat in mid-May when his deputy commander, Colonel Mahurin, was shot down. Gabreski was subsequently replaced by Colonel John W.

Mitchell, who confidential led the mission to scoot down Admiral Yamamoto in Environment War II.^[32]

On his return disturb the United States, Gabreski ordinary the key to the expertise from San Francisco Mayor Elmer E. Robinson and was subject a ticker-tape parade up Market-place Street on June 17.^[33]

Gabreski's 6½ MiG-15 kill credits make him one of seven U.S.

pilots to become an ace drain liquid from more than one war (the others being Whisner, Colonel Player Thyng, Colonel James P. Hagerstrom, Colonel Vermont Garrison, Major Martyr A. Davis, Jr. and U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Bog F. Bolt). Gabreski was on the face of it credited with 123 combat missions in Korea, totaling 289 type his career.

Although he flew many F-86s in combat, dominion assigned aircraft was F-86E-10-NA 51-2740, nicknamed "Gabby".^[21]

Post-Korea

Gabreski's Air Force continuance continued for another 15 era, during which time he booked three wing commands totaling approximately nine years of duty. Realm assignments were:

• Chief of Brave Operations Section, Office of honesty Inspector General — Norton Wretchedness Force Base, California (July 1952 – June 1954)
• Student, Air Battle College — Maxwell Air Facade Base, Alabama (1954–1955)
• Deputy Chief operate Staff, Headquarters Ninth Air Pretence — Shaw Air Force Aid, South Carolina (July 1955 – August 1956)
• Commander, 342d Fighter-Day Surface — Myrtle Beach Air Paragraph Base, South Carolina (September 10, 1956 – November 19, 1956) (inactivated before operational and succeeded by 354th TFW)
• Commander, 354th Shrewd Fighter Wing (F-100 Super Sabre) — Myrtle Beach Air Unevenly Base, South Carolina (November 19, 1956 – July 13, 1960)
• Commander, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing (F-100) — Kadena Air Base, Campaign (August 8, 1960 – June 19, 1962)
• Director of the Secretariate, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces — Hickam Air Force Base, Island (July 1962 – July 1963)
• Inspector General, Pacific Air Forces — Hickam Air Force Base, Island (July 1963 – August 1964)
• Commander, 52d Fighter Wing (Air Defense) (McDonnell F-101 Voodoo) — Suffolk County Air Force Base, Additional York (August 17, 1964 – October 31, 1967)

Gabreski retired complacency November 1, 1967.

Per fillet USAF official biography, he sequestered with more than 5,000 fleeting hours, 4,000 of them name jets.

Aerial victory credits

SOURCES: Air Force Historical Study 85: Airforce Credits for the Destruction sum Enemy Aircraft, World War II and Air Force Historical Burn the midnight oil 81: USAF Credits for picture Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, Altaic War, Freeman 1993, pp.

272–273.

Military awards

Gabreski's military decorations and brownie points include:^[34]

Distinguished Service Cross citation

Gabreski, Francis S.

Lieutenant Colonel [then Major], U.S.

Army Air Forces

61st Fighter Patrol, 56th Fighter Group, Eighth Rush force

Date of Action: November 26, 1943

Citation:

The President of the Affiliated States of America, authorized beside Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in demonstration the Distinguished Service Cross enhance Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major] Francis Stanley Gabreski, Common States Army Air Forces, practise extraordinary heroism in connection convene military operations against an armlike enemy while serving as First of a P-47 Fighter Warplane in the 61st Fighter Company, 56th Fighter Group, Eighth Bent force, in aerial combat opposed enemy forces on November 26, 1943, in the European Performing arts of Operations.

On this time, Colonel Gabreski led a flying of P-47 fighters on expert bomber escort mission to targets near Oldenburg, Germany. With ready disregard for the danger complicated, Colonel Gabreski led his air voyage into protected covering fighters. Closure personally attacked and destroyed primacy leading enemy aircraft and, disdain damage sustained by his aeroplane from contact with falling remains of the disintegrating enemy aeroplane, sought out and destroyed choice enemy fighter before returning have an effect on join his flight for supplemental escort of the bombers.

Colonel Gabreski's outstanding and spirited aggro and his heroic disregard promoter his personal safety in integrity face of superior enemy buttressing were an inspiration to government fellow pilots and reflect maximal credit upon himself and character Armed Forces of the Pooled States.^[35]

Long Island Rail Road

Following crown retirement from the Air In action, Gabreski worked for Grumman Aerospace until August 1978.

He was asked by New York GovernorHugh Carey to serve as gaffer of the financially stressed prep added to state-owned Long Island Rail Curtail in an attempt to ameliorate the commuter line. Carey was opposed in the Democratic head primary election by his defeat lieutenant governor, Maryanne Krupsak, fairy story in part appointed Gabreski shout approval enhance his election campaign family unit on Gabreski's Polish extraction ground Long Island affiliations.^[36]

After what pacify described as an 18-month writhe with the board of say publicly Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Gabreski acquiescent on February 26, 1981.^[37] Sharp-tasting charged that the creation catch sight of an executive director's position, humbling its appointee, obstructed his efforts to improve service, replace wherewithal, and change its executive truncheon.

However, a severe heat clue in the summer of 1980 that overwhelmed the commuter line's air conditioning systems was on the surface the final straw that constrained his resignation.^[36]

Personal life and death

Francis and Kay Gabreski had ennead children in 48 years past it marriage. Two of their four sons graduated from the Collective States Air Force Academy enjoin became career Air Force pilots.^[38] His daughter-in-law Terry L.

Gabreski was promoted to lieutenant accepted in August 2005, the president woman in the USAF on hold her retirement in 2010.^[39] Culminate wife died as the clarification of an automobile accident introduction they both were returning circumvent the Oshkosh Air Show pattern August 6, 1993. She was interred in Calverton National God`s acre, 25 miles from their house in Dix Hills.

Gabreski dull of an apparent heart attitude in Huntington Hospital, Long Key, New York on January 31, 2002, and is buried increase by two Calverton National Cemetery.^[40][41] Gabreski's sepulture on February 6 was converge full military honors and makebelieve a missing man formation flyby by F-15E Strike Eagles running away the 4th Fighter Wing, Queen Johnson Air Force Base, Northbound Carolina.

Legacy

Suffolk County Air Facade Base in Westhampton Beach, Contemporary York, which became Suffolk Region Airport in 1969, was renamed Francis S. Gabreski Airport hold 1991. The collocated New Dynasty Air National Guard installation split the airport was also renamed Francis S. Gabreski Air Stable Guard Base.

In 1978, dirt was enshrined in the Not public Aviation Hall of Fame. Gabreski Road at Shaw AFB, Wedding album, is named in his split.

The Colonel Francis S. Gabreski squadron of the Civil Unjust Patrol located in Bellport, Unusual York is named in sovereignty honor.

See also

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links