Blood Red Skies: US Ace Pilot: 'Gabby' Gabreski

“Gabby” Gabreski, son of Polish immigrants, became the top USAAF fighter ace in Europe during World War II, achieving a rare feat by also becoming an ace in the Korean War. He served for 26 years, reaching the rank of Colonel.

Though his initial training was unremarkable, Gabreski’s passion for flying led him to volunteer for RAF duty with Polish pilots. This experience taught him the vital skill of maintaining composure in combat.

Assigned to the 56th Fighter Group in Europe, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt, Gabreski quickly rose to command, despite some initial skepticism from his peers. In the European theater, he achieved an unprecedented 28 aerial victories against the Luftwaffe.

Even after reaching the required flight hours for a return home, Gabreski opted for one more mission. His Thunderbolt was damaged during a strafing run, forcing him to crash land. He evaded capture for five days before being taken prisoner, ultimately ending up in a German POW camp.