Gabby Gabreski

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Gabby Gabreski bigraphy, stories - Pilots

Gabby Gabreski : biography

January 28, 1919 – January 31, 2002

Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski (born Franciszek Gabryszewski; January 28, 1919 – January 31, 2002) was the top American fighter ace in Europe during World War II, a jet fighter ace in Korea, and a career officer in the United States Air Force with more than 26 years service, retiring with the rank of Colonel.

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, Gabreski had six command tours at group or wing level, including one in combat in Korea, totalling 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.

Early years

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. Like many immigrant-owned businesses in those days, the whole family worked at the market. But Gabreski’s parents had dreams for him, including attending Notre Dame University. He did so in 1938, but, unprepared for real academic work, almost failed during his freshman year. During his second year at Notre Dame, Army Air Corps recruiters visited the campus. Gabreski went to hear them, primarily because his friends were going. The Army’s enticing offer impressed him and he enrolled, reporting in July 1940.

In 1938, 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 didn’t "have the touch to be a pilot".Boyne 2005, p. 71.

At the start of his second year at Notre Dame, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, angering him and re-kindling his interest in flying. Gabreski enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, volunteering as an aviation cadet. After his induction into the U.S. Army at Pittsburgh, Gabreski 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.Werrell 2005, p. 186.

He advanced to basic flight training at Gunter Army Air Base, Alabama, in the Vultee BT-13, and completed advanced training at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in the North American AT-6 Texan. Gabreski earned his wings and his commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Corps in March 1941, then sailed for Hawaii aboard the to his first assignment.

Death

Gabreski died of an apparent heart attack in Huntington Hospital, Long Island, New York on January 31, 2002, and is buried in Calverton National Cemetery. United States Air Force. Retrieved: 14 February 2010.Swank, Linda. In Their Honor. Retrieved: 13 February 2010. Gabreski’s funeral on February 6 was with full military honors and included a missing man formation flyover by F-15E Strike Eagles from the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Personal

Francis and Kay Gabreski had nine children in 48 years of marriage. Two of Gabreski’s three sons graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and became career Air Force pilots.Col. Donald Francis Gabreski (USAF ret.), USAFA 1970, F-4, F-16 pilot; Lt. Col. Francis Robert Gabreski (USAF ret.), USAFA 1981, Lockheed AC-130 pilot. His daughter-in-law Terry L. Gabreski was promoted to lieutenant general in August 2005, the highest-ranking woman in the USAF until her retirement in 2010. Air Force Link. Retrieved: May 15, 2007. Her spouse is Colonel Donald F. Gabreski.