Frank L. Gailer Jr.

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Frank L. Gailer Jr.
48th Tactical Fighter Wing
Third Air Force
Battles/warsWorld War II
Vietnam War
AwardsLegion of Merit (3)
Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
Purple Heart
Air Medal (21)

Frank Lewis Gailer Jr. (November 13, 1923 – September 6, 2018) was an American

fighter wing and flew more than 200 combat missions.[1]

He retired in 1972 at the rank of

Brigadier General.[1]

Early life

Gailer was born in

Hofstra College in Hempstead, New York, until June 1942.[1]

Military career

He then entered the aviation cadet program and received pilot training at Parks Air College in Garden City, Kansas, and finally at Eagle Pass, Texas, where he earned his pilot wings and commission as second lieutenant.[1]

World War II

Gailer onboard his P-51, during WWII

In September 1943, Gailer was assigned to

P-40 Warhawk training at Thomasville, Georgia.[1]

In July 1944, he was assigned to the

Soviet Red Army troops.[1][2][3]

During World War II, Gailer was credited with the destruction of 5.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 destroyed on the ground while strafing enemy airfields. While serving with the 357th FG, he flew P-51 bearing the name "Expectant" with fuselage identification code BA:6.

Post war

Gailer as commanding officer of 35th TFW, during Vietnam War

Gailer returned to the United States in 1945 and until June 1946, he served as base flight operations officer at

University of Maryland.[1]

In February 1955, Gailer was assigned the U.S. Air Force Mission to

jet fighter adviser. From December 1958 until June 1962, he served as chief of the Latin American Missions Branch within the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon. From July 1962 until July 1963, he served as an action officer in the Office of the Special Assistant for Military Assistance Affairs, with the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[1] He has also completed an additional 30 semester hours of study toward his doctorate of philosophy degree. His article "USAF Mission in Latin America," was published in the Air University Quarterly Review, fall 1961.[1]

He next attended the National War College in Washington, D.C., graduating in June 1964. From there he served as deputy commander for operation of the 3640th Pilot Training Wing at the Laredo Air Force Base in Texas. In January 1966, he was assigned as the first commander of the newly organized 3630th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. From August 1967 to July 1968, he was assigned to the National War College as a member of the faculty.[1]

In September 1968, he assumed command of the

F-100 Super Sabre over South Vietnam and was awarded a second Distinguished Flying Cross for "extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight".[4][1]

In September 1969, Gailer arrived at

Middlesex, England, in February 1970. He served this position until his retirement from the Air Force on August 1, 1972.[1][5]

Later life

Gailer was married twice, and had three daughters and numerous grandchildren.[6][3]

After his retirement from the Air Force, he moved to

San Antonio, Texas, where he worked in investments business. He was also a member of the American Fighter Aces Association and Pi Sigma Alpha.[2][1] He died on September 6, 2018, at the age of 94 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[7][8]

Aerial victory credits

Date # Type Location Aircraft flown Unit Assigned
September 13, 1944 0.5 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Kassel, Germany
P-51C Mustang
 363 FS, 357 FG
September 18, 1944 0.5 Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Arnhem, Netherlands P-51C 363 FS, 357 FG
September 19, 1944 0.5 Bf 109 Arnhem, Netherlands P-51C 363 FS, 357 FG
October 7, 1944 1 Fw 190 Zeitz, Germany P-51D 363 FS, 357 FG
October 12, 1944 1 Bf 109 Hanover, Germany P-51D 363 FS, 357 FG
November 27, 1944 2 Fw 190 Magdeburg, Germany P-51D 363 FS, 357 FG
SOURCE: Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II

Awards and decorations

His awards include:[1]

USAF Command pilot badge
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges
 Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster
Purple Heart
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
 Air Medal with four silver oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Prisoner of War Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
campaign stars
World War II Victory Medal
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with service star
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze campaign stars
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service Award
with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order
(2nd Class)
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Vietnam Campaign Medal

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Brigadier General Frank L. Gailer Jr". United States Air Force. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Sherman, Stephen (December 2002). "First Lt. Frank L. Gailer Jr. - Ace of the 357th Fighter Group". Acepilots.com. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  3. ^ a b "Frank L. Gailer, Jr. Oral History Interview (Part 2 Of 2)". The Museum of Flight Digital Collections. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  4. ^ "Valor awards for Frank Gailer". Military Times. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  5. ^ "Frank L. Gailer Jr". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  6. ^ "Betty O'Connell Gailer". Porter Loring Mortuaries & Cremation Services. 2015. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  7. ^ "Frank L. Gailer Jr. (1923-2018)". Murphy & Associates Funeral Directors. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  8. ^ "Burial detail: Gailer Jr., Frank Lewis". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved 2022-12-29.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force

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