Don Gentile

Don gentile shangri la
© Roger Freeman Collection - Photo FRE 5356 - www.americanairmuseum.com

L'histoire - The story                                    

Dominic Salvatore Gentile est né le 6 décembre 1920 à Piqua, dans l’OHIO (USA), à quelques kilomètres d’une petite ville qui m’est chère : Versailles (OHIO). J’ai en effet travaillé plus de 5 ans pour une entreprise basée à Versailles, la société MIDMARK.
Dominic Salvatore Gentile was born on December 6, 1920 in Piqua, OHIO (USA), a few kilometres from a small town which is important to me: Versailles (OHIO). I indeed worked more than 5 years for the company MIDMARK based in Versailles.

Dominic salvatore gentile
© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Adolescent, Gentile achète un avion biplan Aero Sport et accumule 300 heures de vol jusqu’en juillet 1941 puis tente de s’engager dans l’Air Force. N’ayant pas les 2 ans d’université requis par l’US Air Force, il s’engage dans la Royal Canadian Air Force : breveté en 1941, il est affecté comme instructeur en Grande-Bretagne. Souhaitant plutôt se battre, il réussit à se faire affecter au N°133 Eagle Squadron de la RAF en décembre.
Teenager, Gentile buys a biplane Aero Sport and accumulates 300 hours of flight until July 1941 when he tries to engage in the Air Force. Because he does not have the the 2 years of college required by the US Air Force, he engages in Royal Canadian Air Force: he gets his wings in 1941 and is affected as an instructor in Great Britain. Rather wishing to fight, he manages to be assigned to N°133 Eagle Squadron of the RAF in december.

133 eagle squadron 
N° 133 (Eagle) Squadron
Gentile debout, 7e en partant de la gauche, juin 1942 - Gentile standing, 7th from left

Photo UPL14216 ©  IWM - www.americanairmuseum.com

Première mission de guerre le 22 juin 1942 mais son premier combat a lieu le 31 juillet face à des Focke Wulf Fw 190, à l'occasion d'une mission d'escorte de 12 Douglas Boston sur la France (terrain d'Abeville-Drucat). Ses 2 premières victoires sont obtenues lors de l’opération "Jubilee" sur Dieppe (un Focke Wulf Fw 190 et un Junkers Ju 88) le 19 août 1942 ; il abat le FW 190 alors qu'il est dans la queue de son Wing Commander, Eric Thomas. Puis il aperçoit le Ju 88 attaquant les hommes sur la plage : il l'attaque par dessous, tue le mitrailleur ventral et incendie ses deux moteurs. Don gentile pilote ce jour là le Spitfire LF VB BM530. Il obtiendra la DFC britannique pour cet exploit. Puis les Eagle Squadrons furent regroupés pour former le 4th Fighter Group de l’US Air Force. Gentile pilote alors un Spitifre Mk VB au sein du 336th Fighter Squadron.
First mission takes place on June 22, 1942 but his first fight on July 31 versus Focke Wulf Fw 190s, during an escort mission for 12 Douglas Boston over France (Abeville-Drucat airfield). His first 2 kills are obtained during the operation "Jubilee" over Dieppe (one Focke Wulf Fw 190 and one Junkers Ju 88) on August 19, 1942 ; he shoots down the FW 190 which was in the tail of his Wing Commander, Eric Thomas. Then he saw a Ju 88 attacking the soldiers on the beach : he attacks him from below, kills the ball turret gunner and sets on fire his two engines. Don Gentile flies this day the Spitfire LF VB BM530. He obtains the british DFC for thes victories. Then Eagle Squadrons were gathered to form the 4th Fighter Group of the US Air Force. Gentile pilots then a Spitifre Mk VB in the 336th Fighter Squadron.

Don gentile buckeye don bl255
Spitfire Mk VB "Buckeye-Don" (BL255) - 336th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF
Gentile après ses 2 victoires sur Dieppe. Gentile with the 2 kills he got over Dieppe.
Photo UPL17345 ©  IWM - www.americanairmuseum.com

Il endommage un Fw 190 le 12 mars 1943 à bord du Mk Vb BL776 "MD-T". Début 1943, le Squadron est transformé sur P-47. Don reçoit le P-47D-1-RE s/n 42-7884 code "VF-T" " Donnie Boy".
He damages a Fw 190 on March 12th, 1943 on board of Mk Vb BL776 "MD-T". At the beginning of 1943, the Squadron is transformed on P-47. Don gets the P-47D-1-RE s/n 42-7884 code "VF-T" "Donnie Boy".

Dick mansfield don gentile donnie boy
Republic P-47D-1-RE Thunderbolt - s/n 42-7884 (ou/or 42-8659 ?)
Le mécanicien Richard "Dick" Mansfield et le 1st Lt. Don Gentile

Assistant Crew Chief Richard "Dick" Mansfield and 1st Lt. Don Gentile
Photo UPL21359 ©  IWM - www.americanairmuseum.com

Le 16 août, Gentile, exceptionnellement à bord du P-47C-5 (s/n 41-6529) endommage un Me 109 (comptabilisé comme probable) au dessus de Paris.
On August 16th, Gentile, exceptionnaly on board of P-47C-5 (s/n 41-6529) damages a Me 109 over Paris (recorded as probable).

P 47c 5 re 41 6529 vf m
Republic P-47C-5-RE s/n 41-6529 - 336th FS, 4th FG
Avion du Capitaine Ervin "Dusty" Miller ("Hi RPM" en hommage à son bébé Robert Paul Miller), utilisé par Don Gentile le 16 août 1943 lorsqu'il endommagea un Me Bf 109.

Aircraft usually flown by Captain Ervin "Dusty" Miller ("Hi RPM" to honor his baby Robert Paul Miller), flown by Don Gentile on 16th August 1943 to damage a Me Bf 109.

P 47 336th fs vf o vf t
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt - 336th FS, 4th FG, Debden,
Le 2e appareil est le P-47D-1-RE "VF-T" s/n 42-7884 de Gentile (mai-juin 1943).
Le 1er appareil est le P-47C-2-RE "VF-O" s/n 41-6183

The 2nd aircraft is Don Gentile's P-47D-1-RE "VF-T" s/n 42-7884 (May - June 1943).
The 1st aircraft is the P-47C-2-RE "VF-O" s/n 41-6183

© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Don gentile donnie boy
Republic P-47D-1-RE Thunderbolt - s/n 42-7884 - Don Gentile
Photo UPL21962 ©  IWM - www.americanairmuseum.com

Le 26 septembre, il passe sur le P-47D-5 s/n 42-8659, son second "Donnie Boy" et devient Captain le 30 septembre. Le 16 décembre, il obtient un tiers de victoire (en collaboration avec les 1/Lts Louis Norley et Vermont Garrison) sur un Ju 88.
On 26th September, he gets the P-47D-5 s/n 42-8659, a second "Donnie Boy", and becomes Captain on 30th September. On December 16th, he obtains a third of victory (in collaboration with 1/Lts Louis Norley and Vermont Garrison) on a Ju 88.

P 47d 5 re 42 8659 donnie boy
Republic P-47D-5-RE s/n 42-8659
© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Le 5 janvier 1944, il abat un Fw 190 (probablement de la JG 1) au dessus de la Hollande avec le P-47C-2 s/n 41-6180 "VF-U" emprunté au 1/Lt Willard Millikan. Le lendemain, il devient commandant du "A" Flight du 336th FS.
On January 5th, 1944, he shoots down a Fw 190 (probably of the JG 1) over Holland with the P-47C-2 s/n 41-6180 "VF-U" borrowed to 1/Lt Willard Millikan. The following day, he becomes commander of the "A" Flight of 336th FS.

P 47c 2 re 41 6180 vf u
Republic P-47C-2-RE s/n 41-6180
Avion du 1/Lt. Willard "Millie" Millikan, utilisé par Don Gentile janvier 1944 lorsqu'il remporta sa 4e victoire.

Aircraft usually flown by 1/Lt. Willard "Millie" Millikan, flown by Don Gentile in January 1944 when he claimed his 4th air kill.
Photo UPL14289 ©  IWM - www.americanairmuseum.com

Don gentile cockpit
Gentile dans son P-47 D "Donnie Boy" - Gentile in his P-47 "Donnie Boy"
Photo UPL21468 ©  IWM - www.americanairmuseum.com

Don gentile blakeslee
Briefing
Don Gentile (à gauche) et Don Blakeslee (avec la carte) - Don Gentile (left) and Don Blakeslee (with the map)

© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Son combat le plus intense a lieu le 14 janvier 1944 au dessus de la forêt de Compiègne : il abat deux Fw 190 (ses 5e et 6e victoires) mais sera attaqué par deux autres dont il se débarassera à l'issue d'une difficile course poursuite. En attendant la remise en état de son "VF-T", il pilotera le "VF-U", notamment le 21 janvier lorsqu'il tirera sur 4 FW 190 sans néanmoins en revendiquer aucun. Il récupèrera son "VF-T" le 23 janvier. Le 25 février, il abat un Fw 190 au dessus du Luxembourg ce qui fait de lui le meilleur chasseur du 4th FG avec ses 6,33 victoires. Ce sera son dernier vol de guerre sur Thunderbolt.
His most intense fight occurs on January 14, 1944 over the forest of Compiegne: he shoots down two Fw 190 (his 5th and 6th victories) but will be attacked by two others of which he will get rid at the conclusion of a difficult air race. While waiting for his "VF-T" to be fixed, he flies the "VF-U", as on 21st January when he shoots on 4 FW 190 but does not claim any. He gets back his "VF-T" on 23rd, January. On February 25, it shoots down a Fw 190 over the Luxembourg what makes of him the best fighter of 4th FG with 6,33 victories. It was his last war flight with a Thunderbolt.

Don gentile steve pisanos
Don Gentile et Steve Pisanos devant un Spitfire
Don Gentile and Steve Pisanos in front of a Spitfire

© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Don gentile s pisanos
Gentile et son ami Steve Pisanos devant le P-47 D "Donnie Boy" de Don.
Gentile and his friend Steve Pisanos on Don's P-47 "Donnie Boy"
© eaglesquadrons.com (source :http://www.eaglesquadrons.com)

Fin février 1944, le 4th FG, commandé par Don Blakeslee, bascule sur P-51 Mustangs. Don Gentile effectue sa première mission, une mission d'escorte sur Francfort, le 2 mars à bord du P-51B-7-NA s/n 43-6913 "VF-T" baptisé "Shangri-La".
At the end of February 1944, the 4th FG, leaded by Don Blakeslee, switches on P-51 Mustangs. On March 2nd, Don Gentile flies for the first time his P-51B-7-NA s/n 43-6913 "VF-T" "Shangri-La" for an escort mission over Frankfurt.

P 51b 43 6913 shangri la
P-51 B-5-NA "Shangri La"
© USAAF (source :http://www.littlefriends.co.uk)

Le lendemain 3 mars 1944, lors d'une mission avortée sur Hambourg avec le P-51B s/n 43-6705 "VF-W" du Lt Warren Johnson, Gentile est confronté à des Bf 110, Do 217, Ju 88 et Fw 190 : à l’issue de nombreuses manœuvres il abat un premier puis un second Fw 190.
The following day, during an aborted mission over Hamburg with the P-51B s/n 43-6705 "VF-W" usually flown by Lt Warren Johnson, Gentile is confronted to Bf 110, Do 217, Ju 88 and Fw 190 : after many turns, he shoots down a first then a second Fw 190.

Mustang p 51b vf w 43 6705
P-51 B "VF-W" s/n 43-6705
© USAF
(domaine public - public domain)

Le 8 mars 1944, une grande bataille aérienne a lieu au dessus de Berlin pendant laquelle Gentile, protégé par son nouvel ailier le Lieutenant John Godfrey, abat 3 Me 109 et en partage un 4e. Le 18 mars, en mission avec le Colonel Blakeslee, il ajoute à son score un Fw 190 lors d’une mission d’escorte au dessus de Münich.
On March 8, 1944, a great battle happens over Berlin during which Gentile, protected by his new winger, Lieutenant John Godfrey, shoots down 3 Me 109 and shares a 4th one. On March 18, during a mission with Colonel Blakeslee, he adds to his score a Fw 190 during a mission of escort over München.


U.S. Fighter Pilots With Reporters (1943)
© British Pathe

Le 23 mars (à bord du P-51B s/n 43-6572 "VF-N" "Little Mac" du Lt Thomas McDill), deux autres Me 109 s’ajoutent au score de Gentile. Le 27 mars, il mitraille au sol deux Me Bf 110 (en fait 2 Ju 88) sur la base de Cazaux. Puis, le 29 mars, deux nouveaux Fw 190 et un Me 109 abattus le hissent en tête du palmarès de la 8th Air Force.
On March 23 (on board P-51B s/n 43-6572 "VF-N" "Little Mac" of Lt Thomas McDill), two others Me 109 are added to the score of Gentile. On 27th March, he shoots on the ground 2 Me Bf 110 (in fact 2 Ju 88) in Cazaux air base (South Western France). Then, on March 29, two new Fw 190 and one Me 109 shot down make him the first pilot of the 8th Air Force.

Gentile and godfrey
Gentile & John Godfrey
© eaglesquadrons.com (source :http://www.eaglesquadrons.com)

John godfrey don gentile
Don Gentile & John Godfrey
© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Duane beeson don gentile march 1944
Duane Beeson & Don Gentile, 4th FG (mars - March 1944)
© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Le 1er avril, Gentile abat un Me 109 lors d’une mission d’escorte de B-24 Liberator sur le secteur Ludwigshafen - Mannheim. Le 5 avril, toujours avec le "VF-N", il détruit 5 Ju 88 sur le terrain de Stendal (Sud-Ouest Munich) dont 1 en collaboration avec le Major James Goodson et 1 avec John Godfrey.
On April 1, Gentile shoots down a Me 109 during a mission of escort of B-24 Liberator in the region Ludwigshafen - Mannheim. On April 5th, still flying the "VF-N", he destroys 5 Ju 88 on the ground at Stendal airfield (South-West München) including 1 in collaboration with Major James Goodson and 1 with John Godfrey.

Don gentile
© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

P 51b mustang 43 6913 shangri la
North American P-51B-5-NA (43-6913)  "Shangri-La", Debden, 1944 (premier plan - forefront)
© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Duane beeson don gentile april 1944
Duane Beeson & Don Gentile, 4th FG (avril - April 1944)
© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Le 8 avril 1944 enfin, de nouveau sur son "Shangri-La", Don Gentile abat 3 nouveaux Fw 190 près de Ruhrburg ce qui clôture son score à 21,83 victoires aériennes (plus 6 autres au sol) dont 2 sur Spitfire, 4,33 sur P-47 et 15,5 sur P-51. Il aura accumulé 350 heures de vol en combat pendant la 2e guerre mondiale.
Finally on April 8, 1944, back on his "Shangri-La", Don Gentile shoots down 3 new Fw 190 close to Ruhrburg which closes his score at 21,83 aerial kills (plus 6 others on the ground) including 2 on Spitfire, 4,33 on P-47 and 15,5 on P-51. He has accumulated 350 hours of flight in combat during the 2nd world war.

Shangrila final score
Le score final de Gentile sur son P-51 B "Shangri-La" - The final score of Gentile on his P-51 B "Shangri-La"
© eaglesquadrons.com (source :http://www.eaglesquadrons.com)

Don gentile john ferra upl20771
Gentile et son Chef mécano S/Sgt John Ferra - Gentile and his crewchief S/Sgt John Ferra
Photo UPL20771 ©  IWM - www.americanairmuseum.com

Gentile sgt dick mansfield
Sgt Dick Mansfield ajoute une victoire sur l'avion de Gentile
Sgt Dick Mansfield painting a kill marking on Gentile's aircraft

Photo UPL15399 ©  IWM - www.americanairmuseum.com
Gentile ferra


Gentile ferra 2
Gentile et John Ferra - Gentile and John Ferra
© eaglesquadrons.com (source :http://www.eaglesquadrons.com)

Gentile and armorers
Don Gentile observe ses armuriers, avril 1944
Don Gentile looks at his armorers, April 1944
© USAF (domaine public - public domain)

Don gentile john ferra
Don Gentile et John Ferra - Don Gentile and John Ferra
© USAF
(domaine public - public domain)

Il a été décoré de l’Air Medal (4), de la Distinguished Service Cross (2), de la Silver Star, de la Presidential Unit Citation (US), de la World War Two Victory Medal, de l’American Campaign Medal, de la Distinguished Flying Cross (4), de la British Star, de l’Eagle Squadron crest et de nombreuses autres médailles étrangères (Croix de Guerre Belge, Military Order of Italy, Italian Croce Al Merido Di Guerra, Italian Medaglia D'Argenti Al Valor Militare).
He was decorated with the Air Medal (4), the Distinguished Service Cross (2), the Silver Star, the Presidential Unit Quotation (US), the World War Two Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross (4), the British Star, the Eagle Squadron crest and many other foreign medals (Belgian Military Cross, Military Order of Italy, Italian Croce Al Merido Di Guerra, Italian Medaglia D'Argenti Al Valor Militare).

Jesse auton don gentile
Brigadier General Jesse Auton et Gentile pour la remise d'une DFC (25 mars 1944).
Brigadier General Jesse Auton and Gentile for another DFC (25th March, 1944).
© USAF
(domaine public - public domain)

Eisenhower and gentile
Gentile et Blakeslee reçoivent las DSC du Général Eisenhower (11 avril 1944).
Gentile and Blakeslee receive their DFC from General Eisenhower (11th April, 1944).
© USAF
(domaine public - public domain)

Gentile ike blakeslee
Eisenhower, Gentile et Blakeslee pour leur remise de la DSC (11 avril 1944).
Eisenhower, Gentile and Blakeslee for their DSC (11th April, 1944).
© eaglesquadrons.com (source :http://www.eaglesquadrons.com)


Gentile ike 2
Ike a dit à Gentile ce jour-là : "Vous semblez être une Air Force à vous seul "
Ike said to Gentile on this day : "You seem to be a 'One Man Air Force' "
© 4th FG Association (source :http://www.littlefriends.co.uk)


"EISENHOWER DECORATES US AIRMEN"
© British Movietone

Le 13 avril 1944, devant la presse américaine, Gentile détruit son P-51 B « Shangri-La » lors d’un passage au ras du sol ce qui lui vaudra d’être renvoyé au pays par Don Blakeslee malgré son statut de héros de la 8th Air Force.
On April 13, 1944, in front of American journalists, Gentile destroys his P-51 B “Shangri-La” during a passage close to the ground which will be worth to him to be sent back to the USA by Don Blakeslee despite his status of hero of the 8th Air Force.

 Shangri la before crash
Le dernier vol avant le crash - The last flight before the crash
© fourthfightergroup.com (source : http://www.fourthfightergroup.com)


Shangri la crash debden
Après le crash - After the crash
© eaglesquadrons.com (source :http://www.eaglesquadrons.com)

Shangri la crash 3
Cannibalisé pour les pièces avant d'être détruit.
Cannabilized for any useful parts before being scrapped.
© eaglesquadrons.com (source :http://www.eaglesquadrons.com)

Shangri la crash 4Shangri la crashShangri la debdenShangri la crash 5
Le Shangri-La après le crash - The Shangri-La after the crash
© USAF
(domaine public - public domain)

Il fut affecté à la base de Wright Patterson à Dayton dans l’Ohio (célèbre aujourd’hui pour son musée – voir rubrique Musées) comme pilote d’essai du P-80.
He was affected at the base of Wright Patterson in Dayton, Ohio (famous today for its museum - see “Museums” heading) as a test pilot of P-80.

Don gentile shangrilaDon gentile shangrila 2
De retour aux USA, Gentile et son Mustang P-51D Shangrila (en un seul mot)
Back in the USA, Gentile and his Mustang P-51D Shangrila (written in one word)
© USAF
(domaine public - public domain)

Il se tua malheureusement au cours d’un vol d’entraînement sur T-33 à Forestville (Maryland) le 28 janvier 1951. Une statue est érigée à sa mémoire dans son village natal de Piqua.
He was unfortunately killed during a training flight on T-33 at Forestville (Maryland) on January 28, 1951. A statue is set up to his memory in his native village of Piqua.

statue Gentile.jpg
La statue de Gentile aujourd'hui à Piqua, OHIO (USA).
Gentile's statue nowadays in Piqua, OHIO (USA).
© eaglesquadrons.com (source :http://www.eaglesquadrons.com)

Les avions de Don - Don's aircrafts              

 Spitfire mk vb gentile pa tilley
© Pierre André Tilley
Spitfire mk vb gentile malcom laird
© Malcom Laird (source : Ventura Publications - http://www.thescale.info/news/publish/index.shtml)
Spitfire mk vb gentile dekker
© Dekker Art Work (Thierry Dekker) : http://dekker-artwork.blogspot.fr
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb(BL255)
1st Lt. Don Gentile - 336th FS, 4th FG, Debden, fin 1942 - late 1942.

P 47d 1 re 42 7884 don gentile
Republic P-47D-1-RE (42-7884)
1st Lt. Don Gentile - 336th FS, 4th FG, Debden, mai-juin 1943 - May-June 1943.

© Dekker Art Work (Thierry Dekker) : http://dekker-artwork.blogspot.fr

P 47d 5 re 42 8659 don gentile
Republic P-47D-5-RE (42-8659)
Captain Don Gentile - 336th FS, 4th FG, Debden, janvier 1944 - January 1944.

© Pierre André Tilley

Mustang gentile dekker
© Dekker Art Work (Thierry Dekker) : http://dekker-artwork.blogspot.fr

Mustang gentile
© Pierre André Tilley

Mustang gentile mudget
© 2004 Stephen Mudgett 2004 (source : http://www.stephenmudgett.com)
North American P-51B-5-NA (43-6913)
Captain Don Gentile - 336th FS, 4th FG, Debden,
avril 1944 - April, 1944.

21,83 victoires - 21.83 kills                          

23 avions abattus (2 en collaboration) + 3 endommagés + 7 détruits au sol (2 en collaboration) = 21,833 victoires + 6 victoires au sol.
23 aircrfats shotdown (2 in collaboration) + 3 dalmaged + 7 destroyed on ground (2 in collaboration) = 21.833 air kills + 6 kills on ground.

Victoires don gentile

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