His choice of studies would later serve him well during World War II.Īfter returning home now engulfed in what would be the worst war in human history, Brown chooses to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, then later switching to the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve as a naval pilot. In 1937 Brown enrolled at the University of Edinburgh, his choice of study was foreign studies with an emphasis on German. He and his father attended the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. His father was a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps in World War I. Brown was born January 1919 in Leith, near Edinburgh, Scotland. When Gabreski rejoined the Americans, he would later become the leading ace in Europe.Ĭaptain Eric Melrose “Winkie” Brown was a British Royal Navy pilot who excelled at many different tasks during World War II. Flying with the Polish 315th Gabreski was now flying one of the best fighter aircraft in the war, the superb Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX. Several months later Gabreski convinced his commanders to let him serve with the Polish command where he could capitalize on his Polish heritage and gain valuable experience. Francis was there to witness the December 7, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His first posting was to Wheeler Army airfield in the tropical Hawaiian Islands. He enlisted with the United States Army Air Corps in July 1940 and was later commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Reserve in March 1941. After an initial rough going he persisted. While the aerial victories pilots accumulated are important facts, however, not the only facts in considering their greatness.ĭuring his first year at the prestigious University of Notre Dame, Francis S Gabreski, began his flying career. The men (and some women) bravely fought and will be remembered forever in a heroic way, but there are legends who stand above the others. Nearly 40,000 pilots gave their last measure in aerial combat between 19. During World War II countless aerial battles raged in deadly skies above throughout the globe.

Fighter pilot names