“Gabby” Gabreski – Funeral For A Fallen Eagle

by Mike Dobrzelecki

--------------------

 

Family and friends started gathering around 9:30am at the Mangano Funeral Home on Deer Park Avenue, much the same as at countless other ordinary funerals. The seven Suffolk County Police Harleys and half dozen Crown Victoria cruisers parked outside the funeral parlor, however, was a clear sign that this was going to be anything, but, an ordinary funeral. We had assembled to pay our respects to one of America’s heroes from the “Greatest Generation” – Colonel Francis S.Gabreski – the top-scoring U.S. Army Air Forces ace during World War II in the European Theater of War with 28 air-to-air kills and a Mig Ace, to boot, with 6.5 little red stars “stenciled” on his official records from the Korean War. The motorcycle cops were bundled against the chill wind, but the sun was shining bright, with unlimited visibility – good flying weather for Gabby’s “Last Flight”. 

Gabby lay in state, his visage serene. His daughter, Francie, softly whispered, “He’s happy; he’s with mom now.” Kay, a wonderful woman, had died tragically about ten years before in a car accident. Kay’s husband was nattily dressed in a suit, ready for a night out on the town in heaven with her. Just in case, though, Gabby’s favorite red flight suit he often wore to air shows was stowed at his feet, as he requested – bound to be some good flying where he’s going – better be prepared. Contrasting with the formality of the suit, a Hawaiian lei, made from what appeared to be tiny roses, hung around his neck. His family explained that it was a remembrance of the happy years they all spent in that tropical paradise.

Hi daughter-in law, Terry, though diminutive in stature, stood “tall” in her full dress USAF uniform, sporting one silver star on each shoulder, denoting her rank as a general in the 21st Century Air Force. Her husband is none other than Don Gabreski, Gabby’s oldest son who recently retired from the USAF as a colonel (once gain, the wife outranked the husband). As often happens during wakes and funerals, the conversation drifted into the usual hushed “small talk”. Don originally had flown F-4 Phantoms, the heavy twin-engine fighter bomber originally designed in the late 1950’s and used extensively during the Vietnam War. He then moved on to the more agile F-16 Fighting Falcon. He said that is was a little like transitioning from a 1960’s vintage Cadillac to a Ferrari. Another Gabreski offspring, Robert, had also recently retired from the USAF (see a pattern here?), where he had flown AC-130 “Spectre” gunships, which were first used in Vietnam and continue to be the fire-support ship of choice in Afghanistan and Iraq. Robert participated in most of the post-Vietnam War applications of this uniquely devastating piece of aerial hardware, having “resurfaced” portions of Grenada, Panama and Saddam Hussein’s hapless minions during the first Gulf War. Yes, Gabby had his nice big Polish-American family gathered around him – 9 children, 18 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren and, at least one of his two surviving sisters. Coming from a large Polish-American family, myself (my mom had 11 brothers and sisters), I felt right at home.

The church service was held at St. Matthew’s in Dix Hills on Long Island – Gabby’s church. Gabby was a devoutly religious man, saying his rosary everyday and attending Mass a couple of times during the week. It must have paid off – he lived through so much. Three of his children spoke at the service, each touching on the common themes that Gabby lived by – Honor, Service, Duty, Courage, Responsibility, Leadership and Faith in God. The pastor made special mention that, of all Gabby’s accomplishments and accolades – and there were many – it was his personal relationship with God that was his greatest achievement. Gabby would have loved that part of the eulogy. ABC and CBS TV covered it all.

After the mass, the funeral cortege assembled and Suffolk County’s “Finest” went into high gear, executing the operation with military efficiency. Truth be told; I wondered how they were going to handle the procession, which was strung out over 3 miles. My eyes went wide as saucers as they proceeded to shut down the Long Island Expressway, T-H-E major 8 lane highway that runs the length of Long Island…in a word, “WOW” – if anyone rated that, it was Gabby. As we pulled into Calverton National Cemetery, about 17 miles away, the full scope of the military pageant revealed itself, with an honor guard and firing detail from McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, where my brother, Ron, is stationed. “Brass” were everywhere – I never saw so many generals in one spot. A vintage Boeing PT-17 Stearman biplane primary trainer, like the type that Gabby struggled with as a flight cadet, did lazy loops on the edge of the field.

Final prayers spoken, the seven airmen in the firing detail let off a 21-gun salute, the first volley of which flushed a herd of deer that went bounding off into the next meadow - a surreal moment, if there ever was one. The plaintive wail of “Taps” blown by a lone bugler in the distance echoed across the field. A moment later, four F-15E Strike eagles from the 4th Fighter Wing out of Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina flew in on a diagonal across the cemetery. The leader executed a perfect “missing man” maneuver, spiraling up and pushing over, with the team reassembling with balletic precision over the field – if anyone rated that expensive heavy metal – it was Gabby. His “one-star” daughter-in-law, Terry, took particular delight in the fact that the 4th Fighter Wing was Gabby’s old unit in Korea. As a final act, family and friends were invited to file past the gravesite and place a flower on Gabby’s coffin, with those in uniform saluting as military protocol requires. After the family had passed, I noticed a familiar weathered face in the queue – General Mike Jackson (retired) – one of Gabby’s fellow 56th Fighter Group members during World War II, and a famous pilot in his own right – if anyone rated that type of personal send-off – it was Gabby. 

The service broke up and family and friends returned to their cars to retire back down the Long Island Expressway, sand escort this time, to relax with a drink and some sustenance, to reminisce and to tell, yet, more “Gabby” stories - The place? None other than the “56th Fighter Group Restaurant” on Route 110, right next to the old location for the Republic Aircraft’s factory, where they built the P-47 Thunderbolt fighters that Gabby flew in World War II – a more fitting place for Gabby’s funeral luncheon, I could not dream of.

I mourn his passing and shall miss him terribly.

Log onto http://www.njipms.org and click on "Features" then scroll down to view an article on an exhibit I did on Gabreski for the Polish Museum.

Mike Dobrzelecki

Photos and text © by Mike Dobrzelecki