World War II Honoree

George E. Gamble, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Monroe County, New York

Honored By

Joe Arsena

Relationship

Baseball Fan

MINOR LEAGUE OUTFIELDER WHO ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 1942. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE. EARNED HIS PILOT'S WINGS AS A FIGHTER PILOT. POSTED TO CHINA WITH THE 26TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 51ST FIGHTER GROUP FLYING P-51 MUSTANGS. ON DECEMBER 4, 1944, FLYING HIS 29TH MISSION OUT OF KUNMING, HE WAS STRAFING A JAPANESE LOCOMOTIVE EAST OF LANG CHIAI IN FRENCH INDO-CHINA WHEN HIS P-51 WAS CAUGHT IN THE EXPLOSION CAUSED BY A HIT ON THE LOCOMOTIVE. THE P-51 CRASHED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY KILLING GAMBLE. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.