Gailer, Frank L., Jr. -- oral history interview, circa 1960s

File — Box: 2

Scope and Contents

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In this two-part oral history, fighter ace Frank L. Gailer, Jr. discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. In part one, he describes his experiences as a fighter pilot and his time with the 353rd Fighter Squadron in England during World War II. In part two, he continues to describe his World War II experiences and also touches on his postwar assignments with the Pentagon. Topics discussed include his personal background and training history, several combat missions over Germany and the Netherlands in 1944, his memories of fellow pilots, and his postwar work with the Latin American Missions branch.

Dates

Creation: circa 1960s

Creator

From the Collection: American Fighter Aces Association (Organization)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

All materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research. Due to preservation concerns, digital copies should be utilized instead of original materials. There is limited access to undigitized content.

Biographical Note: Frank L. Gailer, Jr.

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Frank L. Gailer, Jr. was born on November 13, 1923 in Bakersfield, California. He joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 and graduated from flight training the following year. Assigned to the 353rd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group, Gailer flew missions over mainland Europe and participated in Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. Shot down in November 1944, he was captured by German forces and interned at the prisoner-of-war camp Stalag Luft I. Following his release at the end of the war, Gailer went on to serve in a number of command positions with various Air Force units, including the 6th Fighter Wing, the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, and the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing. He also served as vice-commander of the Third Air Force before his retirement as a brigadier general in 1972. Afterwards, Gailer worked in the investment industry in San Antonio, Texas. He passed away in 2018.

Full Extent

2 Sound tape reels (Reel 1 of 2, labeled: "Marion Carl, Frank Lewis - 012 - Gen. Marion Carl. Col. Gailer, USAF (damn good) - Col. Gordy Graham"; Reel 2 of 2, labeled: "Frank Gailer, Gordon Graham - 013") ; 1/4 in.