Francis Gabreski’s 13th Distinguished Flying Cross

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Earned his wings in April 1941 and was one of the pilots able to get airborne during the Japanese attack on Oahu on Dec. 7… Served as liaison officer for the Royal Air Force’s No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron… Destroyed 28 enemy aircraft plus three on the ground before he was shot down and spent the remainder of the war in German captivity… Commanded 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing during the Korean War and shot down another 6.5 enemy planes, making him the third-highest scoring American ace of all-time… Also earned the Distinguished Service Cross and two Silver Stars… Retired as a colonel in 1967… Passed away in 2002