Harold H. Gabby

Preferred Name: Hal
Date of Birth: February 24, 1933
Highest Military Grade Held: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Peachtree City, GA
Harold Gabby - before
Biography

Hal Gabby flew the A, C, D, and F models of the F-100 from 1957 to 1967. He was assigned to the Flight Test Division at Holloman AFB, NM, the 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron/48th Tactical Fighter Wing out of  Lakenheath AB, England, and the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa AB in Vietnam.

Hal flew 300 missions in Vietnam: 13 in Route Pack 1 and 2 and 87 mostly in III and IV Corps.

Pilot Information

Units Assigned

  • 11/1955-5/1956 Flight training: Graham AB, FL (T-34, T-28)
  • 6/1956-11/1956 Graduated 1st in Class 57D, Laredo AFB, TX T-33)
  • 11/1956-4/1957 Williams AFB, AZ (F-86F)
  • 4/1957-5/1957 Nellis AFB, NV (F-100A)
  • 5/1957-9/1957 Air Training Officer, USAFA, Lowery AFB, CO (F-80C, T-33)
  • 9/1957-7/1962, Air Force Missile Development Center, Flight Test Division, Holloman AFB, NM (F-80C, F-94C, F-100 C/D/F, F-104B, U-3A, T-29 and C-131 -total of 2500 + hours)
  • Grad of Instrument Instructor School
  • 7/1962-7/1963, 366 Tactical Fighter Wing, Command Post, Etain AB, France
  • 7/1962-7/1966, 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron/48th Tactical Fighter Wing, Lakenheath AB, England (F-100D)
  • Fighter Weapons Instructor School, Nellis AFB, NV (F-100)
  • 11/1966-11/1967, 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa, Vietnam (F-100D/F)
  • 11/1967-9/1975 27th Tactical Fighter Wing, Cannon AFB, NM.
  • Various Sqdn and Wing positions (F-100D/F)
  • 481st Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-111E)
  • 4427th Tactical Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron (F-111D)
  • 2/1973-2/1975 524th 524 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Commander (F-111D)
  • 9/1975-1/1977 HQ 12AF, Fighter Ops, Bergstrom AFB, TX
  • 1/1977-1/1978, Chief 12th AF Stan Eval., Bergstrom AFB, TX (F-111D/F/G)
  • 1/1978-6/1980 Base Commander, Aviano AB, Italy
  • 6/1980-7/1981 Vice Commander, Aviano AB, Italy
  • 7/1981-10/1982 Base Commander, Shaw AFB, SC

Awards & Decorations

Legion of Merit

Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster

Bronze Star

Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters

AF Commendation Medal

Combat Readiness Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

National Defense Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Campaign Stars

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Flight Info

T-34
T-28
T-29
T-33
F-86F
F-100 A/C/D/F
F-80C
F-94C
F-104B
U-3A
C-131
F-111 D/E/F/G

Flew 300 missions in Vietnam: 13 in Route Pack 1 and 2 and 87 mostly in III and IV Corps.

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • SOS
  • Command and Staff by Correspondence
  • Air War College by Seminar

Civilian Education:

  • 1955 BS/Industrial Education, University of Illinois, ROTC

Album

Gabby, Hal
Album Slideshow
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