Francis Stanley Gabriski: American Ace in Two Wars

Shot down 28 German fighters in WWII, 6 in Korea

The Republic P-47 nicknamed the Jug, was a huge fighter that dwarfed all other fighters of the time. It was also arguably the best fighter of WW2. Francis Gabriski was a mediocre pilot from the start and was not expected to succeed but passed (barely) and continued to become one of America’s top aces of all time. Beginning his shoot down crusade in England flying the Spitfire, he was transferred to P-47 Thunderbolts in 1943: and so began his record of aerial kills in a plane deemed too bulky for dog fighting. He shot down Fw190s, Bf-109s, German bombers and used his P-47 to deadly advantage as an attack plane on ground targets. Shot down twice and spending time in a concentration camp till the end of WW2, he was sent to Korea shortly after and flew the F-86 Sabre racking up 6 Mig kills in that war. His military career ended with 13 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Distinguished Service Cross, 2 Silver Stars,7 Air Medals, Bronze Star, and Legion of Merit and other awards from Poland and Korea. Not expected to amount to anything he, like the P-47,proved themselves worthy opponents.

It was said of him that he threw himself into a fight without holding back. Valor is in you. Set it free.