Francis stanley gabreski american air museum in britain. A story of courage and hope is an uplifting memoir of two talented people devoted to public service. There are four medal of honor winners autographs along with four flying tiger aces autographs. Gabby gabreski 19192002, was a famous military person with polish roots gabby. Francis stanley gabby gabreski nascido franciszek gabryszewski.
Francis gabby gabreski the usaf ace pilot pens a short letter to a friend, detailing prices for purchasable usaf memorabilia autograph letter signed. His exploits as a fighter pilot in world war ii and korea are legendary. Gabby gabreski public figure, local business facebook. In july 1944, the fighter pilot frank gabby gabreski, who has died aged 83, became the top american air ace of the second world war, having shot down 28 german aircraft over europe. See more ideas about p 47 thunderbolt, wwii and ww2 aircraft. Well imagine my surprise when i was researching the other two signatures and find that the tom griffin signature was for. I guarantee the authenticity of the autograph and will provide a. For a time he was stationed in hawaii, where he first met miss cochran. Gabby gabreski francis stanley gabby gabreski born franciszek gabryszewski. A fighter pilots life by francis gabreski goodreads. Gabreski returned to the 56th fighter group in late february 1943 and led b flight of the 61st fighter squadron. Gabreski became 56th fg deputy flying executive and operations officer on january 20, 1944. He explains why the nose of his wwii p47 went unpainted.
Francis stanley gabby gabreski born franciszek stanislaw gabryszewski. January 28, 1919 january 31, 2002 was a polishamerican career pilot in the united states air force who retired as a colonel after 26 years of military service. Jun 28, 2011 thus in september 1940, wassall told gabby gabreski, americas future greatest living ace, to step into the plane and give it his best. This book will motivate you, stimulate you, stiffen your spine, and give you the drive to succeed in anything you do. Beautiful coffee table book with color pictures and. Gabreski, known as gabby by his friends, left a premedical course at notre dame university to enter the air force in 1940. A fighter pilots life by francis gabreski, hardcover. With neil bennett, adam christie, connor gross, chris handfield. Feb 04, 2002 colonel gabby gabreski, who has died aged 83, was americas greatest surviving ace. Beginning of a dialog window, including tabbed navigation to register an account or sign in to an existing account.
Gabby by gabreski, francis and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Gabreski related autographs, signed photographs, historical documents and manuscripts from the worlds largest collection. A fighter pilots life, by gabreski with carl molesworth new york. Well imagine my surprise when i was researching the other two signatures. I know alot of people dont like to give free appraisals, but i have found nothing doing an online search. Includes markings for the last p47d flown by gabreski in wwii. Signature pieces auction autograph gallery page 18. Recently picked up this book, nothing rare as i have a couple of the same book already but wanted it for the gabby gabreski autograph and the other data hand written inside. Francis stanley gabby gabreski was a polishamerican career pilot in the united states air force, retiring as a colonel with.
Another hand has added the date oct 29 91 at top right. Air ace gabby gabreski two photos signed may 30, 20. Terry lee walter gabreski born 1952 was the second woman to hold the rank of lieutenant general in the united states air force usaf. Gabreski signs boldly in black ink on the front flyleaf, adding a dedication to our consignor and god bless. During wwii, american pilots race to down the most enemy planes and be crowned the countries top flying ace. Most of the books on the list are signed by aces, authors, and pilots from around the. Francis gabby gabreski, americas highest scoring thunderbolt ace of wwii. Home autographed books page 1 of 3 limited editions of famed aviators and their aircraft a higher call. May colonel francis gabby gabreski whilst achieving the status of ace as a fighter pilot is an impressive enough feat, a handful of individuals have even managed to earn the moniker in two separate conflicts. Markings for the last f86e gabreski flew during the korean war are included. I guarantee the authenticity of the autograph and will provide a certificate of authenticity. This is an 8 x 10 color photo hand signed not a preprint or by a secretary by gabby gabreski deceased, fighter ace who faught during world war ii. Sep 02, 20 during wwii, american pilots race to down the most enemy planes and be crowned the countries top flying ace.
In this way i hope to help newer collectors to see what authentic autographs from various knights cross winners and aces look like, given the high number of fake autographs that have been introduced into the hobby over the years. She was the vice commander, air force materiel command, wrightpatterson air force base, ohio, which conducts research, development, test and evaluation, and provides acquisition management and logistics. Ace of the month may colonel francis gabby gabreski. He was a marginal pilot, but probably could do better with a new instructor. Fighter pilot ace with 28 v ictories usaaf 56 fighter group, 61 fighter squadron, korean war ace6 victories total 34 victories, hand signed authentic autograph very rare shot 10 x 8 bw glossy photo. Stalag luft 1 pow book with ace pilot gabreski sig. The recipient of two silver stars, five air medals, thirteen distinguished flying crosses, and the distinguished service cross among other honors, this decorated united states air force colonel was one of the american militarys top fighter pilots during both world war ii and the korean war. Francis gabreski as told to carl molesworth, gabby. We offer sports, military, space, movie, and tv collectibles as well as books, postal covers, and many other paper items. Us air force pilot francis gabby gabreski, the child of polish immigrants, makes his. While i obtained an autographed photo from gunther, he also autographed my copy of gabreski s book, at the bottom of the signing plate, making it unique. Gabby had sold me his signed limited edition book, a fighter pilots life, limited because it was also autographed by his former squadron commander, hub zemke, and another ace, jerry johnson. Written by colonel gabreski, this book mostly covers his actions over europe during world war 2.
Jan 31, 2002 francis stanley gabby gabreski born franciszek stanislaw gabryszewski. Gabby gabreski autograph letter signed item 264310. I have been collecting autographs for over 30 years and am selling some of my duplicates. Gabby gabreski honored at hall of fame 2015 read more below. May colonel francis gabby gabreski whilst achieving the status of ace as a fighter pilot is an impressive enough feat, a handful of individuals have even. Gabby gabreski married miss catherine mary kay cochran, 11 june 1945, at our lady of the angels chapel, campion college, prairie du chien, wisconsin. 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. A high scoring ace, and squadron commander with, the famed 56th fighter group the wolfpack,starts with his childhood in oil city, pennsylvania, and progresses through his college days and entrance into the air corps. Gabreski he explains why the nose of his wwii p47 went unpainted. Colonel gabby gabreski, who has died aged 83, was americas greatest surviving ace. Francis gabreski his handwritten conceptual letter on success. Correspondence free delivery possible on eligible purchases.
If ever a man has earned his place in the annals of military history, that man is francis gabby gabreski. Other than the swastikas that were painted on the left side of the cockpit and the. Gabby gabreski printed art signed in ink with cosigners. Gabreski was the top american fighter ace in europe during world war ii, a jet fighter ace in korea. This is the full story of gabby gabreski, told in his own words. Arizona congresswoman gabrielle giffords, the wife of astronaut mark kelly, was shot in the left side of her head on january 8, 2011 while meeting with her constituents. The 56th fighter group in world war ii osceola, wi. Harold comstock, john mcclure, bud mahurin, and gabby gabreski. Francis gabby gabreski, one of oil citys most famous native sons, will be honored this fall by the u. He mentions his newly finished book gabby autograph letter signed.
Both gabby and mark have lived large public lives, but this book takes readers behind many closed doorsfrom the flight deck of the space shuttle to the cloakrooms of congress to the hospital wards where gabby struggled to reclaim herself with the help of formidable medical teams and devoted family and friends. Written at bottom of an undated, typed letter from lee mar of dix hills, n. Four days before christmas 1943, a badly damaged american bomber struggled to fly over wartime germany. In october 1942, he was transferred to the european theater and flew with a polish raf squadron. It runs continuously with lots changing over every 4 weeks. Francis gabby gabreski of the 56th fighter group,61st fighter squadron in his p47d25re serial number 4226418, code hva. Francis gabby gabreski, one of the nations outstanding combat fliers, will be honored this month at the u. Jun 02, 2012 recently picked up this book, nothing rare as i have a couple of the same book already but wanted it for the gabby gabreski autograph and the other data hand written inside. Gabby gabreski 19192002, was a famous military person with polish roots. My copy is autographed by the author, so i will never surrender it. Although best known for his credited destruction of 34. A fighter pilots life by molesworth, carl,gabreski, francis and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now.
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