View source for Gabby Gabreski

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Short description|American flying ace (1919–2002)}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Francis Stanley Gabreski
|image= Francis Gabreski color photo in pilot suit.jpg
|alt= 
|caption=
|nickname= Gabby
|birth_date= {{birth date|1919|1|28}}
|birth_place= [[Oil City, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
|death_date= {{death date and age|2002|1|31|1919|1|28}}
|death_place= [[Huntington (CDP), New York|Huntington, New York]], U.S.
|placeofburial= [[Calverton National Cemetery]]
|allegiance= United States
|branch= [[United States Army Air Corps]]<br />[[United States Army Air Forces]]<br />[[United States Air Force]]
|serviceyears= 1940–1967
|rank= [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]
|unit= [[15th Wing|15th Pursuit Group]]<br />[[No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron]]<br />[[4th Fighter Group|4th Fighter-Interceptor Group]]
|commands= [[61st Fighter Squadron]]<br />[[55th Fighter Squadron]]<br />[[56th Fighter Group]]<br />[[51st Fighter Wing|51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing]]<br />[[354th Operations Group|354th Tactical Fighter Wing]]<br />[[18th Wing|18th Tactical Fighter Wing]]<br />[[52nd Fighter Wing]]
|battles= [[World War II]]<br />[[Korean War]]
|awards= [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]]<br />[[Army Distinguished Service Medal]]<br />[[Silver Star]] (2)<br />[[Legion of Merit]]<br />[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (13)<br />[[Bronze Star Medal]]<br />[[Air Medal]] (7)
|relations= 
|laterwork= [[Grumman Aerospace]]
}}
'''Francis Stanley''' "'''Gabby'''" '''Gabreski''' (born '''Franciszek Stanisław Gabryszewski'''; January 28, 1919 – January 31, 2002) was a Polish-American career pilot in the [[United States Air Force]] who retired as a colonel after 26 years of military service. He was the top American and [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[fighter ace]] over Europe during [[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.
{{TOC limit|limit=2}}

==Early years==
Gabreski's official Air Force biography states:
{{blockquote|Gabreski's parents had emigrated from [[Frampol]], [[Poland]] to [[Oil City, Pennsylvania]], in the early 1900s. His father (Stanisław  "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 [[University of Notre Dame]]. 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 fly solo, having been advised by his instructor Homer Stockert that he did not "have the touch to be a pilot".<ref>Boyne 2005, p. 71</ref>

==World War II==
===U.S. Army Air Forces===
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 College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology|Parks Air College]], near [[East St. Louis, Illinois]], flying the [[Boeing-Stearman Model 75|Stearman PT-17]]. Gabreski was a mediocre trainee and was forced to pass an elimination check ride during primary to continue training.<ref>Werrell 2005, p. 186</ref>

He advanced to basic flight training at [[Gunter Air Force Base|Gunter Army Air Base]], [[Alabama]], in the [[Vultee BT-13]]  and completed advanced training at [[Maxwell Air Force Base|Maxwell Field]], Alabama, in the [[North American AT-6 Texan]]. Gabreski earned his wings and his commission as a [[Second Lieutenant#United States|second lieutenant]] in the Air Corps in March 1941, then sailed for Hawaii aboard the {{SS|Washington}} to his first assignment.

[[File:Gabby Gabreski (left) and Cyclone Davis (2nd from left), Wheeler Officers Club 1941.jpg|thumb|Second lieutenant Gabby Gabreski (left) and first lieutenant [[Emmett Smith Davis|Cyclone Davis]] (second from left) at the Wheeler Field Officers Club, Hawaii, 1941|left]]
{{external media
| float  = left
| caption =  Gabby Gabreski
| headerimage= [[File:YouTube 2024.svg|alt=YouTube logo|x20px|left]]
| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghx5-FpXj2g  Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski’s Biography)]
}}
Assigned as a fighter pilot with the [[45th Fighter Squadron|45th Pursuit Squadron]] of the 15th Pursuit Group at [[Wheeler Army Airfield]], [[Hawaii]], 2nd Lt. Gabreski trained on both the [[Curtiss P-36 Hawk]] and the newer [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk]]. He met his future wife, Catherine "Kay" Cochran, in Hawaii and became engaged shortly after the Japanese [[attack on Pearl Harbor]]. During that action, Gabreski joined several members of his squadron in flying P-36 fighters in an attempt to intercept the attackers, but the Japanese had withdrawn. During the spring and summer of 1942, Gabreski remained with the 45th (renamed as 45th Fighter Squadron in May 1942), training in newer model P-40s and in [[Bell P-39 Airacobra]]s that the unit began to receive.

He closely followed reports on the [[Battle of Britain]] and the role played in it by Polish [[RAF]] squadrons, especially by the legendary [[No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron]]. He became concerned that the US did not have many experienced fighter pilots. This gave him an idea: since Polish squadrons had proved to be capable within the RAF and since he himself was of Polish origin and spoke Polish, he offered to serve as a liaison officer to the Polish squadrons to learn from their experience. The idea was approved, and he left Hawaii for [[Washington, D.C.]] in September 1942, where he was promoted to [[Captain (United States)|captain]].

====RAF duty====
In October, Gabreski reported to the [[Eighth Air Force]]'s VIII Fighter Command in [[England]], at that time a rudimentary new headquarters. After a lengthy period of inactivity, he tried to arrange duty with 303 Squadron, but that unit had been taken out of action for a period of rest. Instead, he was posted to [[315th Polish "Deblinski" Fighter Squadron|No. 315 (Dęblin) Squadron]] at [[RAF Northolt]] in January 1943.

Gabreski flew the new [[Supermarine Spitfire]] Mark IX, flying patrol sweeps over the [[English Channel|Channel]]. He first encountered ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' opposition on February 3, when a group of [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]]s jumped his squadron. Too excited to make a "kill", Gabreski learned that he had to keep calm during a mission, a lesson that served him well later in the war. He later spoke with great esteem about the Polish pilots and the lessons they taught him. In all, Gabreski flew 20 missions with the Poles, engaging in combat once.<ref>Boyne 2005, p. 72</ref><ref>There is considerable disagreement on the number with the RAF. Boyne states "two dozen". Freeman in ''The Mighty Eighth'' placed it at 13. Ace-Pilots made it an unspecified number more than 27. 18FWA, Aces, and the NMUSAF fact sheet state 20</ref>

====56th Fighter Group====
On February 27, 1943, Gabreski became part of the [[56th Fighter Group]], flying the [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt]], assigned to the [[61st Fighter Squadron]], and quickly became a flight leader. He was immediately resented by many of his fellow pilots, and the fact that he was opinionated and outspoken did little to ease the situation.<ref>Freeman 1993, p. 47. Freeman and Boyne comment that this ill will was not shared by 56FG ace Jerry Johnson, who rose to the rank of lieutenant general.</ref> In May, shortly after the group moved to [[RAF Halesworth]] and entered combat, Gabreski was promoted to major.

On June 9, he took command of the 61st Fighter Squadron when its commanding officer was moved up to group deputy commander. This also stirred ill feelings toward him since he had been jumped over two more senior pilots.<ref>Freeman 2004, pp. 59, 69</ref> This ill-will was soon exacerbated when both of these men were lost in combat on June 26 and did not subside until he recorded his first credited kill: an Fw 190 near [[Dreux]], [[France]], on August 24, 1943.<ref>Freeman 2004, p. 272. All information regarding his claims is from Freeman, corroborated by [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/numbered_studies/1039707.pdf "Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits For Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522085334/http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/numbered_studies/1039707.pdf |date=May 22, 2006 }} ''fhra.maxwell.af.mil''. Retrieved: January 17, 2010</ref> His first kill presaged criticism that followed him throughout his combat career, when his wingmen complained that his attack had been too hastily conducted to allow them to also engage.<ref name="Boyne, Gabreski, p.73">Boyne 2005, p. 73</ref>

On November 26, 1943, the 56th FG was assigned to cover the withdrawal of [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]] bombers that had bombed [[Bremen]], [[Germany]]. The P-47s arrived to find the bombers under heavy attack near [[Oldenburg (city)|Oldenburg]] and dived into the fray. Gabreski recorded his fourth and fifth kills to become an [[flying ace|ace]], but had a close brush with death on December 11,<ref>Gabreski's December 11 flight is detailed in [[Edward H. Sims]]' book ''American Aces in Great Fighter Battles of World War II''. It forms section 6 of that documentary.</ref> when a 20&nbsp;mm (.79&nbsp;in) cannon shell lodged in his engine without exploding, destroying its [[turbocharger]].<ref>Freeman 2000, pp. 36–38</ref> Low on fuel and ammunition, Gabreski outmaneuvered a [[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Bf 109]] until it succeeded in placing a burst of fire into his P-47, disabling the engine. Gabreski stayed in the airplane, however, until it restarted at a lower altitude, where the turbocharger was not needed.<ref name="Boyne, Gabreski, p.73"/>

[[File:052504-O-0000G-005.jpg|right|thumb|Gabreski and [[Staff sergeant|S/Sgt.]] Ralph Safford, his crew chief. The assistant crew chief Felix Schacki is in the background.]]
In November 1943, the group commander of the 56th, Colonel [[Hubert Zemke]], was replaced in command for two months by Colonel Robert Landry, a staff officer at VIII FC. Because of Landry's inexperience, combat missions of the 56th were alternately led by deputy commander Lieutenant Colonel [[David C. Schilling]] and Gabreski, who acted as deputy group operations officer. When Zemke resumed command on January 19, 1944, Gabreski relinquished command of the 61st FS.<ref>Freeman, ''56th Fighter Group'', p. 46</ref>

In February 1944, Gabreski brought two Polish pilots into the 56th, who had flown with him in 1943 while serving with the RAF, including future USAAF ace [[Squadron Leader]] [[Boleslaw Gladych|Boleslaw "Mike" Gladych]]. With Gabreski's support and to ease a shortage of experienced pilots caused by many veterans reaching the completion of their tours, the 61st FS in April accepted five other Polish Air Force pilots into the squadron as the "Polish Flight".<ref>Freeman 2004, p. 64, includes photograph of the flight.</ref>

Gabreski's victory total steadily climbed through the winter of 1943–44. By March 27, he had 18 victory credits and had six multiple-kill missions to rank third in the "ace race" that had developed within VIII Fighter Command. He downed only one more aircraft in the next two months, during which time the two pilots ahead of him (Majors [[Robert S. Johnson]] and [[Bud Mahurin|Walker M. Mahurin]], also of the 56th FG) were sent home.<ref>Johnson 1958, p. 292</ref>

In April 1944, the 56th FG moved to [[RAF Boxted]] and Gabreski was promoted to [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]]. He resumed command of the 61st FS when its commander was transferred to VIII FC headquarters.<ref>Freeman 2004, p. 56</ref>
[[File:Francis_S._Gabreski_in_cockpit_of_his_P-47_Thunderbolt,_July_1944_(342-C-K2170).jpg|thumb|Gabreski in the cockpit of his P-47 after his 28th victory]]
On May 22, Gabreski shot down three Fw 190s over an airfield in northwest Germany. He tied Johnson as the leading ace in the [[European Theater of Operations]] on June 27 (passing [[Eddie Rickenbacker]]'s record from [[World War I]] in the process), and on July 5, 1944, became America's leading ace in the ETO, with his score of 28 destroyed matching the total at the time of confirmed victories of the Pacific Theatre's top American ace, [[Richard Bong]]. This total was never surpassed by any U.S. pilot fighting the ''Luftwaffe''.<ref>Freeman 2004, p. 87</ref>

====Prisoner of war====
On July 20, 1944, Gabreski had reached the 300-hour combat time limit for Eighth Air Force fighter pilots and was awaiting an aircraft to return him to the United States on leave and reassignment. He had already advised Kay Cochran to proceed with wedding plans, and his hometown of Oil City, Pennsylvania, had raised $2,000 for a wedding present in anticipation of his return.<ref name="obit">[http://www.njipms.org/Features/Gabreski/gabreski-obit2.htm "Francis S. Gabreski, a World War II air ace, dies at 83."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928195616/http://www.njipms.org/Features/Gabreski/gabreski-obit2.htm |date=September 28, 2007 }} ''The New York Times.'' Retrieved: May 12, 2007</ref>

Gabreski found, however, that a bomber escort mission to [[Mainz|Rüsselsheim]], Germany, was scheduled for that morning, and, instead of boarding the transport, he requested to "fly just one more."<ref name="pow">{{cite web |url=http://www.af.mil/history/person.asp?dec=1950&pid=123006456 |title=Colonel Francis S. Gabreski/ |access-date=April 17, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220103427/http://www.af.mil/history/person.asp?dec=1950&pid=123006456 |archive-date=February 20, 2007 }} ''USAF biography.'' Retrieved: February 20, 2007</ref> Returning from the mission, Gabreski observed [[Heinkel He 111]]s parked on the airfield at Niedermendig, Germany and took his airplane down to attack.

He was dissatisfied with his first strafing run on an He 111, and he reversed for a second pass. When his tracers went over the parked bomber, he dropped the nose of his Thunderbolt to adjust, and its propeller clipped the runway, bending the tips.<ref name="Boyne, Gabreski, p.74">Boyne 2005, p. 74</ref> The damage caused his engine to vibrate violently and he was forced to crash land. Gabreski then ran into the nearby woods and eluded capture for five days. After being captured, he was interrogated by [[Obergefreiter]] [[Hanns Scharff]]. He was eventually sent to [[Stalag Luft I]].

Gabreski flew 166 combat sorties and was officially credited by the USAAF with 28 aircraft destroyed in air combat and 3 on the ground.<ref>NMUSAF fact sheet. Includes RAF sorties</ref> He was assigned five P-47s during his time with the 56th FG, none of which he named, but all of which bore the fuselage identification codes HV: A.<ref>Freeman 1993, p. 273</ref>

==U.S. Air Force career==
Following his repatriation, Gabreski returned to the United States and married Kay Cochran on June 11, 1945. After a 90-day recuperative leave, he became Chief of Fighter Test Section at [[Wright Field]], Ohio, and at the same time completed test pilot training at its Engineering Flight Test School. In April 1946, he left the service, worked for [[Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas Aircraft]] for a year, then was recalled to active duty in April 1947 to command the [[55th Fighter Squadron]], [[Shaw Air Force Base#20th Fighter Group|20th Fighter Group]], at [[Shaw Air Force Base]], South Carolina.<ref name=nmusaf>[http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1096 NMUSAF fact sheet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004161523/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1096 |date=October 4, 2008 }}</ref>
[[File:Gabby_Gabreski_stepping_out_of_F-86_Sabre,_1950.jpg|thumb|Gabreski stepping out of his Sabre, April 1950]]
His command of the 55th FS was brief. The Air Force sent him to [[Columbia University]] in September 1947 to complete his degree and study [[Russian language|Russian]]. In June 1949, he graduated with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in [[Political Science]]. He returned immediately to flying, becoming commander of his former unit, the 56th Fighter Group, now flying [[F-80 Shooting Star]]s at [[Selfridge Air Force Base]], [[Michigan]]. While in command of the 56th, Gabreski oversaw conversion of the unit to [[North American F-86 Sabre]]s and was promoted to colonel on March 11, 1950.<ref name=nmusaf/>

===Korean War===
He participated in [[air warfare|aerial combat]] again during the [[Korean War]]. In June 1951, he and a group of selected pilots of the 56th FIW accompanied the delivery of F-86Es of the [[62nd Fighter Squadron|62nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] to [[South Korea]] aboard the [[escort carrier]] {{USS|Cape Esperance|CVE-88|6}}. The planes and pilots joined the [[4th Operations Group|4th Fighter-Interceptor Group]] at [[Gimpo International Airport|K-14 (Kimpo) Air Base]], where most engaged in combat. On July 8, 1951, flying his fifth mission in an F-86, Gabreski shot down a [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]], followed by MiG kills on September 2 and October 2.<ref name="afhra81">{{cite web |url=http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/numbered_studies/467670.pdf |title=Air Force Historical Study 81: USAF Credits for Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, Korean War. |access-date=May 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216112446/http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/numbered_studies/467670.pdf |archive-date=February 16, 2008 }} ''Air University.'' February 16, 2008.</ref>

====51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing====
The growing MiG threat against [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]] bomber attacks along the [[Yalu River]] caused the [[Fifth Air Force]] to create a second Sabre wing by converting the [[51st Fighter Wing|51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing]] from F-80s to F-86s in a 10-day period.<ref>Davis 1998 {{Page needed|date=May 2012}}</ref> Gabreski was transferred to [[Suwon Air Base|K-13 (Suwon) Air Base]], accompanied by most of the former 56th FIW pilots who had come with him to Korea, and took command November 6, 1951. During its first seven months as an F-86 wing, the 51st, with only two operational squadrons, scored 96 MiG kills, comparing favorably to the 125 of the veteran [[4th Fighter Wing|4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing]], which operated three. Gabreski himself scored 3½ more kills to become a jet ace.<ref name=nmusaf/>

He was an aggressive commander and fostered a fierce rivalry between the two F-86 wings,<ref>Werrell 2005, p. 86.</ref> fueled in part by the fact that the 4th had also been the keenest rival of the 56th FG during World War II. While this aggressiveness paid off in the destruction of MiGs and air superiority over all of Korea, it also led Gabreski to make the first intentional violation of [[rules of engagement]] that prohibited combat with MiGs over [[China]]. (The MiG force was based in this ostensible sanctuary during the entire war.) Gabreski and a fellow former 56th pilot, Colonel [[Walker M. Mahurin]], planned and executed a mission in early 1952 in which the F-86s turned off their [[Identification Friend or Foe|IFF]] equipment and overflew two Chinese bases.<ref>Werrell 2005, pp. 131, 188.</ref>

Gabreski was also criticized for having a poor attitude towards wingmen. One historian, citing five interviews with pilots and an unpublished manuscript by a sixth, observed that Gabreski flew the fastest aircraft available and failed to notice when his slower wingmen could not keep up. These pilots, reportedly afraid to fly with him, commented that he was more interested in personal achievement than in his wingmen. He was also criticized for a lack of discipline among his off-duty pilots and for allegedly encouraging exaggerated kill claims.<ref>Werrell 2005, p. 188. Note: The sources are cited at p. 286, note 37. Werrell interviewed 60 pilots, and his narrative indicates the criticisms were a majority view.</ref>

Nonetheless, at least three wingmen had different views. 1st Lieutenant Joe L. Cannon of the 51st FIW flew over 40 missions with him and described Gabreski as a mentor and "my kind of fighter pilot".<ref>Thompson and McLaren 2002, p. 21.</ref> 1st Lt. Harry Shumate, another 51st FIW pilot, stated that while flying wingman in Gabreski's flight, Shumate was the first to spot a MiG-15 heading for its base and Gabreski told him to "go get him" while the leader covered.<ref>Thompson and McLaren 2002, p. 70.</ref> A 4th FIW pilot, 1st Lt. Anthony Kulengosky, observed:

<blockquote>
I moved up in the world of wingmen by flying Col. Francis Gabreski's wing on a mission. I was absolutely thrilled to fly on this legend's wing...He was a tiger and went on to become an ace again. When asked who I looked up to the most as a pilot and a gentleman in all my flying, I still have to say it was "Gabby" Gabreski. When he took over the 51st Wing, he asked me to move over as a flight leader in his outfit.<ref>Thompson and McLaren 2002, p. 62.</ref>
</blockquote>

Capt. Robert W. "Smitty" Smith, a 4th FIW pilot in Korea, recalled:
<blockquote>Shortly after my arrival, Gabby flew the first F-86E to arrive on base in simulated combat over the field against an F-86A and whipped the other guy badly, with every Sabre jock on the base as witness. After he landed he briefed all pilots and announced that the limited number of E's would be reserved for flight leaders.  I never forgot his response, when someone asked about the problem of wingmen staying with leaders.  He replied "Wingmen are to absorb firepower" and I never knew him well enough to judge whether he had a dry sense of humor, but he made the right choice. One thing I know for sure, Gabby proved himself the greatest at our skills and talents, when he added 6 ½ MIG kills to his 28 victories in WW II and become the all-time American Fighter Ace, and I MIGht {{sic}} add, he did it in the P-47, not the better air-to-air P-51.  And he didn't have a chance to fly the much more powerful F-86F, which arrived after us.<ref>[http://www.nf104.com/ab/ch_2/i.html NF-104.com "Autobiography of Robert W. Smith."] ''nf104.com''. Retrieved: January 14, 2010.</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Korean War aces.jpg|thumb|Gabreski (left) congratulating Whisner]]
A noted pilot also rebuts some of the criticism. Major [[William T. Whisner]] had been a [[P-51 Mustang|P-51]] double-ace with the 352nd FG in World War II and was one of the pilots Gabreski brought with him from the 56th FIW in June 1951. Before the mission of February 20, 1952, Gabreski and Whisner each had four MiGs credited as destroyed. During the mission, Gabreski attacked and severely damaged a MiG-15 that fled across the Yalu River into China. He broke off the engagement and returned to base after his own airplane was damaged, where he claimed the MiG as a "probable kill".<ref name=nmusaf/>

Whisner trailed the MiG deep into [[Manchuria]] trying to confirm Gabreski's kill, but his Sabre ran low on fuel. He completed the shootdown and returned to K-14 where he confirmed the kill for Gabreski but did not claim it himself. Gabreski confronted him and angrily ordered him to change his mission report, confirming Whisner's own role in the kill. Whisner refused. Soon after, Gabreski recanted his anger and the two shared the claim, as a consequence of which three days later Whisner and not Gabreski became the first pilot of the 51st FW to reach jet ace status.<ref>Davis 1978, p. 27.  The episode is told in Whisner's words. Werrell also reported the incident, using this source.</ref>
[[File:Gabby_Gabreski_in_Sabre_cockpit,_1952.jpg|thumb|Gabreski in the cockpit of his Sabre after returning from a mission, 1952]]
Gabreski's Korean tour was due to end in June. As he approached his mission limit in early April, he quit logging sorties to avoid being transferred from his command.<ref name="Boyne, Gabreski, p.74"/> He was, however, grounded by Fifth Air Force from further combat in mid-May when his deputy commander, Colonel Mahurin, was shot down. Gabreski was subsequently replaced by Colonel [[John Mitchell (United States Air Force)|John W. Mitchell]], who had led the [[Operation Vengeance|mission to shoot down Admiral Yamamoto]] in World War II.<ref>Werrell 2005,  pp. 187, 202.</ref>

On his return to the United States, Gabreski received the [[key to the city]] from [[San Francisco]] Mayor [[Elmer E. Robinson]] and was given a [[ticker-tape parade]] up [[Market Street (San Francisco)|Market Street]] on June 17.<ref name="sfcb">[http://content-backend-a.cdlib.org/view?docId=tf338n99v6&chunk.id=c041349 "Guide to ''San Francisco Call Bulletin'' photographs, June 1952."]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Online Archive of California.'' Retrieved: May 11, 2007.</ref>

Gabreski's 6½ MiG-15 kill credits make him one of seven U.S. pilots to become an ace in more than one war (the others being Whisner, Colonel [[Harrison Thyng]], Colonel [[James P. Hagerstrom]], Colonel [[Vermont Garrison]], Major [[George A. Davis, Jr.]] and [[U.S. Marine Corps]] Lieutenant Colonel [[John F. Bolt]]). Gabreski was officially credited with 123 combat missions in Korea, totaling 289 for his career. Although he flew many F-86s in combat, his assigned aircraft was F-86E-10-NA 51-2740, nicknamed "Gabby".<ref name=nmusaf/>

===Post-Korea===
Gabreski's Air Force career continued for another 15 years, during which time he held three wing commands totaling nearly nine years of duty. His assignments were:
*Chief of Combat Operations Section, Office of the Inspector General — [[Norton Air Force Base]], [[California]] (July 1952 – June 1954)
*Student, [[Air War College]] — [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], [[Alabama]] (1954–1955)
*Deputy Chief of Staff, Headquarters [[Ninth Air Force]] — [[Shaw Air Force Base]], [[South Carolina]] (July 1955 – August 1956)
*Commander, 342d Fighter-Day Wing — [[Myrtle Beach Air Force Base]], [[South Carolina]] (September 10, 1956 – November 19, 1956) (inactivated before operational and succeeded by 354th TFW)
*Commander, [[354th Fighter Wing|354th Tactical Fighter Wing]] ([[F-100 Super Sabre]]) — Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina (November 19, 1956 – July 13, 1960)
*Commander, [[18th Wing|18th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (F-100) — [[Kadena Air Base]], [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] (August 8, 1960 – June 19, 1962)
*Director of the Secretariat, Headquarters [[Pacific Air Forces]] — [[Hickam Air Force Base]], [[Hawaii]] (July 1962 – July 1963)
*Inspector General, Pacific Air Forces — Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii (July 1963 – August 1964)
*Commander, [[52d Fighter Wing|52d Fighter Wing (Air Defense)]] ([[McDonnell F-101 Voodoo]]) — [[Suffolk County Air Force Base]], [[New York (state)|New York]] (August 17, 1964 – October 31, 1967)

Gabreski retired on November 1, 1967. Per his USAF official biography, he retired with more than 5,000 flying hours, 4,000 of them in jets.

==Aerial victory credits==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders collapsible collapsed" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; text-align:right; width: 100%;"
|-style="color:white;"
! colspan="6" style="background-color: #3399ff" | Chronicle of aerial victories
|-style="color:white;"
! style="background-color: #3399ff" | Date
! style="background-color: #3399ff" | # 
! style="background-color: #3399ff" | Type
! style="background-color: #3399ff" | Location
! style="background-color: #3399ff" | Aircraft flown
! style="background-color: #3399ff" | Unit Assigned
|-
|August 24, 1943||align=center|1||align=center|[[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]]||align=center|[[Dreux]], [[France]]||align=center|[[P-47 Thunderbolt|P-47D]]||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|September 3, 1943||align=center|1 ||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|[[Saint-Germain-en-Laye|St-Germain]], [[France]]||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-
|November 11, 1943||align=center|1 ||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|[[Rheine]], [[Germany]]||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|November 26, 1943||align=center|2||align=center|[[Messerschmitt Bf 110]]||align=center|[[Oldenburg (city)|Oldenburg]], Germany||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-
|November 29, 1943||align=center|2||align=center|[[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]||align=center|[[Bremen]], [[Germany]]||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|December 11, 1943||align=center|1||align=center|Bf 110||align=center|[[Emden]], Germany||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-
|January 29, 1944||align=center|1||align=center|Bf 110||align=center|Emden, Germany||align=center|P-47D||align=center|56 FG Hq
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|January 30, 1944||align=center|1||align=center|[[Messerschmitt Me 410]]||align=center|[[Lingen]], [[Germany]]||align=center|P-47D||align=center|56 FG Hq
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|January 30, 1944||align=center|1||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|Lingen, Germany||align=center|P-47D||align=center|56 FG Hq
|-
|February 20, 1944||align=center|2||align=center|Me 410||align=center|[[Koblenz]], Germany||align=center|P-47D||align=center|56 FG Hq
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|February 22, 1944||align=center|1||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|[[Paderborn]], Germany||align=center|P-47D||align=center|56 FG Hq
|-
|March 16, 1944||align=center|2||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|[[Nancy, France|Nancy]], France||align=center|P-47D||align=center|56 FG Hq
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|March 27, 1944||align=center|2||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|[[Nantes]], France||align=center|P-47D||align=center|56 FG Hq
|-
|May 8, 1944||align=center|1||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|[[Celle]], Germany||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|May 22, 1944||align=center|3||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|[[Rotenburg an der Wümme|Höperhöfen]], Germany||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-
|June 7, 1944||align=center|1||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|Dreux, France ||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-
|June 7, 1944||align=center|1||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|Dreux, France||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|June 12, 1944||align=center|2||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|[[Évreux]], France||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-
|June 27, 1944||align=center|1||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|[[Sézanne|Connantre]], France||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|July 5, 1944||align=center|1||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|Évreux, France||align=center|P-47D||align=center|61 FS, 56 FG
|-
|July 5, 1951||align=center|1||align=center|[[MiG-15]]||align=center|[[North Korea]]||align=center|[[North American F-86 Sabre|North American F-86A Sabre]]||align=center|4 FIG
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|September 2, 1951||align=center|1||align=center|MiG-15||align=center|North Korea||align=center|F-86A||align=center|4 FIG
|-
|October 2, 1951||align=center|1||align=center|MiG-15||align=center|North Korea||align=center|F-86A||align=center|4 FIG
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|January 11, 1952||align=center|1||align=center|MiG-15||align=center|[[Dandong]], [[China]] ?||align=center|F-86E||align=center|51 FIW
|-
|February 20, 1952||align=center|0.5||align=center|MiG-15||align=center|North Korea||align=center|F-86E||align=center|51 FIW
|-style="background: #eeeeee;"
|April 1, 1952||align=center|1||align=center|MiG-15||align=center|North Korea||align=center|F-86E||align=center|51 FIW
|-
|April 13, 1952||align=center|1||align=center|MiG-15||align=center|North Korea||align=center|F-86E||align=center|51 FIW
|}
::::<small>SOURCES: ''Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II'' and ''Air Force Historical Study 81: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, Korean War'', Freeman 1993, pp. 272–273.</small>

==Military awards==

Gabreski's military decorations and awards include:<ref name="powm">{{cite book |last=Oliver |first=William E. |last2=Lorenz | first2=Dwight L. | name-list-style =amp | year =1999 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=uaUPF3ycG7IC&q=Gabreski+%22prisoner+of+war+medal%22&pg=PA50| section= Gabreski, Colonel Francis S.; Awards and decorations| title =The Inner Seven: The History of Seven Unique American Combat "Aces" of WWII and Korea | publisher = Turner Publishing Co. | isbn =9781563115042 | access-date = July 29, 2009}}</ref>
{|
|[[File:COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png|110px]]
|[[USAF Aeronautical Ratings#Pilot ratings|Command pilot badge]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Army Distinguished Service Medal|Distinguished Service Medal]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Silver_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Silver Star]] with bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Legion of Merit]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=12|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] with two silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Bronze Star Medal]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=6|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Air Medal]] with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=AF_Presidential_Unit_Citation_Ribbon.png|width=106}}
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Air Force Presidential Unit Citation]] with bronze oak leaf cluster
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Outstanding_Unit_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Prisoner of War Medal.svg|width=106}}
|[[Prisoner of War Medal]] 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[American Defense Service Medal]] with one [[service star]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[American Campaign Medal]] 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] with bronze [[campaign star]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal]] with two bronze [[campaign stars]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army_of_Occupation_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Army of Occupation Medal]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}
|[[National Defense Service Medal]] with one service star 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Korean_Service_Medal_-_Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Korean Service Medal]] with two bronze [[campaign star]]s
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Air Force Longevity Service Award]] with silver oak leaf cluster
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=United_Kingdom_Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|''[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]'' (United Kingdom)
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Legion_Honneur_Chevalier_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|Chevalier of the ''[[Legion of Honour]]'' (France)
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with palm (France) - ribbon bar.png|width=106}}
|''[[Croix de guerre 1939–1945|Croix de Guerre]]'' with Palm (France)
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Oorlogskruis with Palm.jpg|width=106}}
|''[[War Cross (Belgium)|Croix de Guerre]]'' with Palm (Belgium)
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=POL_Krzyż_Walecznych_(1940)_BAR.PNG|width=106}}
|''[[Cross of Valour (Poland)|Polish Cross of Valour]] ({{langx|pl|Krzyż Walecznych}})'' (Poland)
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)|width=106}}
|[[Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=United Nations Service Medal for Korea Ribbon|width=106}}
|[[United Nations Korea Medal|United Nations Service Medal for Korea]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Korean War Service Medal]]
|-
|}
*[[File:Odznaka_pilota.jpg|110px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Polish Air Force#Qualification badges|Polish Pilot Badge]]

===Distinguished Service Cross citation===
[[File:Army distinguished service cross medal.png|50px|left]]
:Gabreski, Francis S.
:Lieutenant Colonel [then Major], U.S. Army Air Forces
:61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, Eighth Air force
:Date of Action:  November 26, 1943

:Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major] Francis Stanley Gabreski, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an  armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, Eighth Air force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on November 26, 1943, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, Colonel Gabreski led a flight of P-47 fighters on a bomber escort mission to targets near Oldenburg, Germany. With complete disregard for the danger involved, Colonel Gabreski led his flight into protected covering fighters. He personally attacked and destroyed the leading enemy aircraft and, despite damage sustained by his airplane from contact with falling pieces of the disintegrating enemy plane, sought out and destroyed another enemy fighter before returning to join his flight for further escort of the bombers. Colonel Gabreski's outstanding and spirited aggressiveness and his heroic disregard for his personal safety in the face of superior enemy forces were an inspiration to his fellow pilots and reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.<ref name="valor.militarytimes.com">{{cite web|url= https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/23090 |title=Valor awards for Francis Gabreski|website=Military Times|access-date=November 17, 2022}}</ref>

==Long Island Rail Road==
Following his retirement from the Air Force, Gabreski worked for [[Grumman Aerospace]] until August 1978. He was asked by [[Governor of New York|New York Governor]] [[Hugh Carey]] to serve as president of the financially stressed and state-owned [[Long Island Rail Road]] in an attempt to improve the [[commuter railroad|commuter line]]. Carey was opposed in the [[Democratic Party (U.S.)|Democratic]] gubernatorial [[Partisan primary|primary election]] by his own [[lieutenant governor]], [[Maryanne Krupsak]], and in part appointed Gabreski to enhance his election campaign based on Gabreski's Polish extraction and [[Long Island]] affiliations.<ref name="carey">[http://www.videofact.com/english/samples/E_2/E18.html "Francis S. Gabreski."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809205349/http://videofact.com/english/samples/E_2/E18.html |date=August 9, 2007 }} ''videofacts.'' Retrieved: May 12, 2007.</ref>

After what he described as an 18-month struggle with the board of the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]], Gabreski resigned on February 26, 1981.<ref name="nytlirr">Cummings, Judith. [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40D13FD3F5D0C728CDDAA0894D9484D81&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss "Stripped of power in '79, ex-LIRR chief charges."]{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''The New York Times,'' March 1, 1981. Retrieved: May 12, 2007.</ref> He charged that the creation of an [[executive director]]'s position, and its appointee, obstructed his efforts to improve service, replace equipment, and change its executive staff. However, a severe heat wave in the summer of 1980 that overwhelmed the commuter line's [[air conditioning]] systems was apparently the final straw that forced his resignation.<ref name="carey"/>

==Personal life and death==
Francis and Kay Gabreski had nine children in 48 years of marriage. Two of their three sons graduated from the [[United States Air Force Academy]] and became career Air Force pilots.<ref>Col. Donald Francis Gabreski (USAF ret.), USAFA 1970, [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4]], [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] pilot; Lt. Col. Francis Robert Gabreski (USAF ret.), USAFA 1981, [[Lockheed AC-130]] pilot.</ref> His daughter-in-law [[Terry Gabreski|Terry L. Gabreski]] was promoted to [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] in August 2005, the highest-ranking woman in the USAF until her retirement in 2010.<ref name="ltg">Yaley, Jason. [https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/127839/columbus-ohio-to-celebrate-air-force-heritage-week/ Columbus, Ohio, to celebrate 'Air Force Heritage Week'] ''Air Force Link.'' Retrieved: April 5, 2016. Her spouse is Colonel Donald F. Gabreski.</ref> His wife died as the result of an automobile accident as they both were returning from the [[Oshkosh Air Show]] on August 6, 1993. She was interred in [[Calverton National Cemetery]], 25 miles from their home in [[Dix Hills]].

Gabreski died of an apparent [[heart attack]] in Huntington Hospital, [[Long Island]], [[New York (state)|New York]] on January 31, 2002, and is buried in Calverton National Cemetery.<ref name="afmil">[https://archive.today/20121212215350/http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec=&pid=123006456 "Inside AF.mil: Francis S. Gabreski>"]  ''United States Air Force.'' Retrieved: February 14, 2010.</ref><ref name="calv">Swank, Linda. [http://www.intheirhonor.info/ "Francis S. Gabreski Field, Section 14, site 724.."] ''In Their Honor.'' Retrieved: February 13, 2010.</ref> Gabreski's funeral on February 6 was with full military honors and included a [[missing man formation]] flyover by [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E Strike Eagle]]s from the [[4th Fighter Wing]], [[Seymour Johnson Air Force Base]], [[North Carolina]].

==Legacy==

[[Suffolk County Air Force Base]] in [[Westhampton Beach, New York]], which became [[Suffolk County Airport]] in 1969, was renamed [[Francis S. Gabreski Airport]] in 1991. The collocated [[New York Air National Guard]] installation at the airport was also renamed [[Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base]]. In 1978, he was enshrined in the [[National Aviation Hall of Fame]]. Gabreski Road at [[Shaw AFB]], SC, is named in his honor.

The Colonel Francis S. Gabreski squadron of the [[Civil Air Patrol]] located in [[Bellport, New York]] is named in his honor.

==See also==
* [[Richard Bong]], Army Air Forces fighter pilot
* [[Emmett (Cyclone) Davis]], Army Air Forces/U.S. Air Force fighter pilot
* [[George Andrew Davis, Jr.]], Army Air Forces/U.S. Air Force fighter pilot
* [[Joseph Foss]], Marine Corps fighter pilot
* [[David McCampbell]], Navy fighter pilot

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* [[Walter J. Boyne|Boyne, Walter J.]], "Gabreski", ''Air Force magazine'', Vol. 88, No. 11, November 2005.
* Davis, Larry. "F-86 in Korea." ''Wings of Fame''. London: Aerospace Publishing Ltd., 1998.  {{ISBN|1-86184-017-9}}.
* Davis, Larry. ''MiG Alley: Air to Air Combat Over Korea''. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1978. {{ISBN|0-89747-081-8}}.
* Gabreski, Francis S. and Carl Molesworth. ''Gabby: A Fighter Pilot's Life''. New York: Dell Publishing, 1992. {{ISBN|0-7643-0442-9}}.
* Freeman, Roger A. ''56th Fighter Group''. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2000. {{ISBN|1-84176-047-1}}.
* Freeman, Roger A. ''The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men and Machines – A History of the US 8th Air Force.''. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International, 1993. {{ISBN|0-87938-638-X}}.
* Freeman, Roger A. ''Wolfpack Warriors: The Story of World War II's Most Successful Fighter Outfit''. London: Grub Street, 2009, First edition 2004. {{ISBN|1-904010-93-8}}.
* Johnson, Robert S. ''Thunderbolt!'' Spartanburg, South Carolina: Honoribus Press, 1958. {{ISBN|1-885354-05-3}}.
* McLaren, David R. ''Beware the Thunderbolt! The 56th Fighter Group in World War II''. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Puiblishing, 1994. {{ISBN|0-88740-660-2}}.
* Oliver, William E. and Lorenz, Dwight L. ''The Inner Seven: The History of Seven Unique American Combat "Aces" in World War II and Korea''. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company, 1999. {{ISBN|978-1-56311-504-2}}.
* Olynyk, Frank. ''Stars & Bars: A Tribute to the American Fighter Ace 1920–1973''. London: Grub Street, 1995. {{ISBN|1-898697-17-5}}.
* Thompson, Warren E. and David R. McLaren.  ''MiG Alley: Sabres vs. MiGs Over Korea''. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2002. {{ISBN|1-58007-058-2}}.
* Werrell, Kenneth P. ''Sabres over MiG Alley''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 2005. {{ISBN|1-59114-933-9}}.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Refbegin}}
*[http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-47/p-47-encounter-reports.html P-47 Combat Action and Claims reports], photostats of 16 of Gabreski's World War II claims reports
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050504012635/http://www.18thfwa.org/whosWho/FrancisGabreski/FrancisGabreski.html Col. Francis S. Gabreski – 18th Fighter Wing site]
* [http://members.tripod.com/usfighter/gabby.htm Col. Francis "Gabby" Gabreski – WWII Aces site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090215073349/http://www.af.mil/history/person.asp?dec=1950&pid=123006456 Col. Francis S. Gabreski – U.S. Air Force History site]
* [http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/p47dtd_1.htm Images of Gabreski's last P-47D]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081004161523/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1096 Gabreski fact sheet, National Museum of the United States Air Force]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222153/http://www.starduststudios.com/Gabby_Gabreski.htm Col. Francis Gabreski Top ETO Thunderbolt Ace] —painting of 28th kill and photographs
{{Refend}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Robert K. Pattison]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=President of [[Long Island Rail Road]]|years=1978–1981}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Daniel T. Scannell]]}}
{{End}}

{{Venango}}
{{Top US World War II Aces}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Subject bar
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gabreski, Francis S.}}
[[Category:1919 births]]
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[[Category:People from Oil City, Pennsylvania]]
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