Colonel Francis S. Gabreski Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
COLONEL FRANCIS S. GABRESKI
Born: January 28, 1919 in Oil City, Pennsylvania
Died: January 31, 2002 in Huntington, New York
Francis S. "Gabby" Gabreski (1919-2002), ranks as the all-time top U.S. Army Air Force ace. He was one of only seven USAF pilots who was an ace in both WWII and the Korean War. Beginning his career flying sorties against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, the Polish-speaking pilot started to fly Spitfires in January 1943 with the 315 (Polish) Squadron of the RAF. After a few weeks, Gabreski was assigned to Zemke's 56th Fighter Group, flying P-47 Thunderbolts without seeing any action until August 24, 1943, when he scored his first victory. From then on, he downed 28 enemy aircraft, leading all pilots in the European theatre. After 193 missions, the Air Force was ready to send him home but, shortly before boarding the plane, he discovered that a mission was set for that morning. On July 20, 1944, Gabreski crash-landed during a strafing sortie and hid out for five days. Although he persuaded a Polish-speaking forced laborer to bring food and water, Gabreski was captured and imprisoned in Stalag Luft I, a German POW camp for the remaining eight months of the war. He returned to military service in the Korean War and shot down six MIG 15s. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, the Air Medal and awards from the French and Polish governments.
Style
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 224209Personal letterhead signed by Francis S. "Gabby" Gabreski, who served as President of the Long Island Railroad. The letterhead contains a printed biography detailing his accomplishments as a U.S. Army Air Force ace in both WWII and the Korean War.
Price: $240.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 224346Document signed by Francis S. "Gabby" Gabreski, Mort D. Magoffin, and Joseph T. McKeon, titled Future Aces Who Were Serving At/Pearl Harbor/December 7th, 1941. It contains their signatures on a single page, commemorating their roles as Air Force Aces during WWII.
Sale Price $315.00
$380.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 264310Autograph letter signed: F. S. Gabreski, providing insight on the absence of nose art on his WWII P-47. The letter responds to inquiries about his aircraft's decoration, detailing his preferences and military background as a renowned ace.
Price: $300.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 317486Handwritten letter signed by Francis Gabreski, providing contact information for a symposium. Addressed to "Dear Ernest", it includes details about Lt. Gen. Jerry Johnson and symposium contact information. Gabreski is noted as a top U.S. Army Air Force ace.
Sale Price $225.00
$280.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/16/1995 - HFSID 318469Autograph letter signed by Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, dated August 16, 1995, on personal letterhead. Addressed to a friend, detailing prices for USAF memorabilia. Gabreski, a top U.S. Army Air Force ace, shares personal updates and best wishes.
Price: $280.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 284187Signed color photograph of Frances "Gabby" Gabreski, wearing his flight suit, is autographed with "Gabby Gabreski". Gabreski, a top U.S. Army Air Force ace, served in both WWII and the Korean War, downing 28 enemy aircraft.
Sale Price $295.00
$360.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 266576Photograph signed by Francis S. “Gabby” Gabreski, shown in the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt, displaying 28 swastikas for downed enemy planes. Gabreski was a top U.S. Army Air Force ace, achieving victories in both World War II and the Korean War.
Price: $400.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - BOOK SIGNED WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 277316Book celebrating The Great Planes is signed by four U.S. aviation heroes: Gabby Gabreski, Robert L. Scott, Scrappy Johnson, and Fred Olivi. Each sign their names along with notable achievements on the half title page and bookplates.
Price: $500.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SIGNED - HFSID 171990Commemorative envelope signed by Francis S. Gabreski, inscribed "Gabby Gabreski/Col USAF/Ret." Envelope commemorates the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, postmarked at the FERNPEX stamp exhibition, featuring a 29-cent stamp related to the event.
Price: $240.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - FIRST DAY COVER SIGNED - HFSID 182887First Day Cover signed by Francis Gabreski, indicating "Francis S. Gabreski"/Col USAF, commemorates the "50th Anniversary Solo Transatlantic Flight" of Charles Lindbergh. It is postmarked Roosevelt Field Station, N.Y. on May 20, 1977, marking the first day of issue.
Price: $240.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - PRINTED ART SIGNED IN INK WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 284139Print signed by Francis "Gabby" Gabreski and artist Joe Milich, depicting a P-47 Thunderbolt in flight. This limited edition piece includes three unsigned photographs and is double matted and framed. Gabreski is recognized as the top U.S. Army Air Force ace.
Price: $950.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/12/1956 - HFSID 172377Typed letter signed by Francis Gabreski, dated March 12, 1956, expresses appreciation for a collector's efforts and mentions sending an autographed photograph. Gabreski, an ace pilot in both WWII and the Korean War, shares well wishes for the recipient's recovery.
Price: $260.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/12/1979 - HFSID 224210Typed letter signed: "Francis S Gabreski", as President of the Long Island Railroad, is dated October 12, 1979, acknowledging a request for his signature. Gabreski, a notable U.S. Army Air Force ace, expresses appreciation for being included among famous individuals.
Sale Price $215.00
$260.00
-
COLONEL FRANCIS S. "GABBY" GABRESKI - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 11/10/1952 - HFSID 24170Typed letter signed: "F.S. Gabreski", sent to "Miss Dorothy Smith", expresses gratitude for autograph requests. Gabreski, a top U.S. Army Air Force ace, recounts his appreciation for the autographed picture, dated November 10, 1952.
Price: $260.00