Capt. Don S. Gentile started his combat career with two victores over Dieppe flying Spitfires as an American volunteer with the Royal Air Force's 133 "Eagle" Squadron in 1942. Transferring to the US Army Air Forces with the rest of the Eagles in September, the Piqua, Ohio native flew Spitfires, Thunderbolts and Mustangs for the next year and a half with the 8th Air Force's 4th Fighter Group based at Debden, Essex. Don finished his combat career in April 1944 as the 4th's top ace, with 19.833 aerial victories with the group (21.833 total), plus 3 damaged, a title he holds to this day.
He died in January 1951 in an accident while flying a T-33 near Forestville, Maryland. One of Don's three sons followed in his father's footsteps and became an Air Force fighter pilot and instructor in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Completed 2015
Collection of Lance Kuhn
Capt. Don S. Gentile started his combat career with two victores over Dieppe flying Spitfires as an American volunteer with the Royal Air Force's 133 "Eagle" Squadron in 1942. Transferring to the US Army Air Forces with the rest of the Eagles in September, the Piqua, Ohio native flew Spitfires, Thunderbolts and Mustangs for the next year and a half with the 8th Air Force's 4th Fighter Group based at Debden, Essex. Don finished his combat career in April 1944 as the 4th's top ace, with 19.833 aerial victories with the group (21.833 total), plus 3 damaged, a title he holds to this day.
He died in January 1951 in an accident while flying a T-33 near Forestville, Maryland. One of Don's three sons followed in his father's footsteps and became an Air Force fighter pilot and instructor in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.