Gabby Gabreski

Francis Stanley Gabreski
Nickname(s)	Gabby
Born	(1919-01-28)January 28, 1919 Oil City, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	January 31, 2002(2002-01-31) (aged 83) Huntington, New York, U.S.
Buried	Calverton National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army Air Corps United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force
Years of service	1940–1967
Rank	Colonel
Unit	15th Pursuit Group No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group
Commands held	61st Fighter Squadron 55th Fighter Squadron 56th Fighter Group 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing 354th Tactical Fighter Wing 18th Tactical Fighter Wing 52nd Fighter Wing
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (13) Bronze Star Medal Air Medal (7)
Other work	Grumman Aerospace

Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski (born Franciszek Stanisław Gabryszewski; January 28, 1919 – January 31, 2002) was an American career pilot in the United States Air Force who retired as a colonel after 26 years of military service. 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 Korean War.

Although best known for his credited destruction of 34½ aircraft in aerial combat and being one of only seven U.S. combat pilots to become an ace in two wars, Gabreski was also one of the Air Force's most accomplished leaders. In addition to commanding two fighter squadrons, he had six command tours at group or wing level, including one in combat in Korea, totaling over 11 years of command and 15 overall in operational fighter assignments.

After his Air Force career, Gabreski headed the Long Island Rail Road, a commuter railroad owned by the State of New York, and struggled in his attempts to improve its service and financial condition. After two and a half years, he resigned under pressure and went into full retirement.