Gabby Gabreski
He became America's top fighter ace over Europe in WWII, then proved his skill again by becoming a jet ace in Korea.
1919–2002 (age 83)·American flying ace·Birthday: January 28·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Born to Polish immigrants in Oil City, Pennsylvania, Francis 'Gabby' Gabreski's path to becoming an aviation legend was almost derailed before it began. His early academic struggles at the University of Notre Dame gave way to a burning passion for flight after he witnessed a military airshow. Enlisting in the Army Air Corps, his natural talent was immediately evident. During World War II, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt, Gabreski developed a reputation for aggressive, close-quarters combat, tallying 28 aerial victories to become the leading U.S. ace in the European theater. His war nearly ended in 1944 when he crash-landed in Germany and spent the remainder of the conflict as a POW. Undeterred, he returned to service and, flying F-86 Sabres in the Korean War, shot down 6.5 MiG-15s, achieving the rare status of a jet ace. His 26-year career bridged the piston and jet ages, cementing his place as one of the most accomplished combat pilots in American history.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Gabby was born in 1919, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Gabby Was Born
The biggest hits of 1919
Gabby's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1919Born
Treaty of Versailles signed; Prohibition ratified
President: Woodrow Wilson
1924Started school
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1932Became a teenager
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1935Could drive
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1937Could vote
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1940Turned 21
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1949Turned 30
NATO founded; Mao proclaims the People's Republic of China
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Riders in the Sky" — Vaughn MonroeBest Picture: All the King's Men
1959Turned 40
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1969Turned 50
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1979Turned 60
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1989Turned 70
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 80
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Died at 83
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
Key Achievements
- Scored 28 aerial victories in World War II, making him the top American fighter ace in the European theater.
- Achieved 6.5 aerial victories in the Korean War, becoming a jet fighter ace.
- One of only seven U.S. pilots to achieve ace status in both World War II and the Korean War.
- Commanded the 51st Fighter Wing during the Vietnam War.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Gabby' was ironic, as he was known for being quiet and reserved.
He crashed his P-47 while buzzing an airfield in a low-level pass, an incident for which he was reprimanded.
He was a prisoner of war for nearly a year after crash-landing during a strafing run in 1944.
His son, also named Francis, became a fighter pilot and flew F-15s.
“The first thing you've got to learn is that the airplane is an extension of yourself.”
