Gerald Gustafson
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[edit] Early Life
Gustafson was born in St. Peter, MN in 1929. His grandparents were Swedish immigrants and his father, Herbert C. Gustafson was an infantryman during World War One. Both parents were offspring of Swedish immigrants.
[edit] Air Force Service
Gustafson initially joined the Air Force in 1950 and after completing basic training in Texas was trained in the use of bombadair equipment on the B-26. After completing his training and missing service in the Korean War, he was approved for a new pilot program and trained in Piper Cubs and T-6 Texans. He received advanced fighter training in the P-80 Shooting Star.
After his officer and flight training, Gustafson was stationed in Wisconsin; Thule, Greenland; Texas; and California. During this time he flew F84s, F-86 Sabres, F-100s, and F-102s.
Immediately before his Vietnam service, he was transferred, flying F-105s out of Okinawa.
[edit] Air Force Cross
Gerald Gustafson won the Air Force Cross, the second highest award for gallantry in the United States Air Force, during the Vietnam War.[1] He flew F-105 Thunderchiefs from Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base base in Thailand and was shot down on two occasions.
He was awarded the medal in November, 1967. His citation noted that "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, awards the Air Force Cross to Major Gerald C. Gustafson for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 19 November 1967. On that date, Major Gustafson's aircraft was severely damaged by a surface to air missile while he was assisting another pilot who had received battle damage and had been wounded. Major Gustafson refused to leave his comrade until other escort aircraft could be vectored in to give the wounded pilot assistance in reaching his home base safely. Only then, did Major Gustafson egress to a safer area where he was force to eject from his own stricken aircraft. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Major Gustafson reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force." [2][3][4]
[edit] Post-Air Force
He retired with the rank of Colonel in 1979 to New Richland. He often speaks to students and classes about his experiences. [5]
[edit] References
- ^ "Air Force Cross Medal". VietnamUnitMemorialDisplay.org. http://www.vietnamunitmemorialdisplay.org/new_page_9.htm.
- ^ "The Air Force Cross in Vietnam". HomeOfHeroes.com. http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/08_afc/afc_01rvn.html.
- ^ "[http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/books/airforce/AFC_All.doc Citations-Recipients of the Air Force Cross]". HomeOfHeroes.com. http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/books/airforce/AFC_All.doc.
- ^ "Legion of Valor". legionofvalor.com. http://www.legionofvalor.com/citation_parse.php?uid=1001365072.
- ^ ""The Aquin," Nov. 2005". St. Thomas University. http://www.stthomas.edu/aquin/0506/051118.pdf.
