Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Frank
Lewis
Gailer
, Jr.
POW (WWII)
November 13, 1923

–

Born:

Bakersfield

, 

California

Home:

Great Neck, Long Island

, 

New York

During World War II, Frank Gailer became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 5.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, flying combat in the Vietnam War, and retired in 1972 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Frank Lewis Gailer, Jr. (ASN: 0-688813), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 353d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War

    Action Date:

    November 27, 1944 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 40999

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Frank Lewis Gailer, Jr. (ASN: 0-688813), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on 27 November 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    35th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    September 1968 – August 1969

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Frank Lewis Gailer, Jr. (ASN: 0-688813), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam, from September 1968 to August 1969. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Gailer and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    February 1970 – August 1972

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frank Lewis Gailer, Jr. (ASN: 0-688813), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, culminating as Vice Commander of the THIRD Air Force, South Ruislip AS, England, from February 1970 until August 1972. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Gailer culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    35th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    March 7, 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Frank Lewis Gailer, Jr. (ASN: 0-688813), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Tactical Fighter Pilot and Commanding Officer, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, in action near Phan Thiet, Republic of Vietnam on 7 March 1969. On that date, Colonel Gailer struck a known hostile location in support of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. In spite of marginal visibility, restricted attack heading and the threat of hostile ground fire, Colonel Gailer delivered his ordnance with superior skill and unerring accuracy. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Gailer reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Frank Lewis Gailer, Jr. (ASN: 0-688813), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Gailer and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.