Francis Gabreski
| Francis Stanley Gabreski | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | Gabby |
| Born |
January 28, 1919 Oil City, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 31, 2002 (aged 83) Huntington, New York |
| Buried at | Calverton National Cemetery, New York |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1940–1967 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Commands held |
 61st Fighter Squadron 55th Fighter Squadron 56th Fighter Group 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing 354th Tactical Fighter Wing 18th Tactical Fighter Wing 52d Fighter Wing (Air Defense) |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War |
| Awards |
 Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (13) Bronze Star Medal Air Medal (7) |
| Other work | Long Island Rail Road (president) |
Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski (born Franciszek Gabryszewski; January 28, 1919 – January 31, 2002) was a career officer and pilot in the United States Air Force, retiring as a colonel with 26 years of military service. He was the top American and U.S. Army Air Forces fighter ace over Europe in World War II and a jet fighter ace with the Air Force in the Korean War.
Although best known for his credited destruction of 34½ aircraft in aerial combat and being one of only seven U.S. combat pilots to become an ace in two wars, Gabreski was also one of the Air Force's most accomplished leaders. In addition to commanding two fighter squadrons, he had six command tours at group or wing level, including one in combat in Korea, totaling over 11 years of command and 15 overall in operational fighter assignments.
After his Air Force career, Gabreski headed the Long Island Rail Road, a commuter railroad owned by the State of New York, and struggled in his attempts to improve its service and financial condition. After two and a half years, he resigned under pressure and went into full retirement.
Gabreski's official Air Force biography states:
Gabreski's parents had emigrated from Poland to Oil City, Pennsylvania, in the early 1900s. His father (Stanley Gabryszewski) owned and operated a market, putting in 12-hour days. As in many other immigrant-owned businesses in those days, the whole family worked at the market. But Gabreski's parents had dreams for him, including attending the Notre Dame University. He did so in 1938, but, unprepared for real academic work, almost failed during his freshman year.
During his first year at Notre Dame, Gabreski developed an interest in flying. He took lessons in a Taylor Cub and accumulated six hours of flight time. However, his autobiography indicates, he struggled to fly smoothly and did not solo, having been advised by his instructor Homer Stockert that he did not "have the touch to be a pilot".
At the start of his second year at Notre Dame, Gabreski enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, volunteering as an aviation cadet. After his induction into the U.S. Army at Pittsburgh, he undertook primary flight training at Parks Air College, near East St. Louis, Illinois, flying the Stearman PT-17. Gabreski was a mediocre trainee and was forced to pass an elimination check ride during primary to continue training.
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Wikipedia