World War II Honoree

Charles J. Gorski

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Central Islip, New York

Honored By

Michael McTiernan

In January 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces and received his training at Maxwell Field Alabama; primary training at Bennettsville, South Carolina; and was graduated from Advanced School, Spence Field, Georgia. On November 10th, 1942, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant and received his wings. In February 1943, he was sent overseas, serving as a dive-bomber pilot. He was among the first to fly the A-36 Invader. He saw action in Africa, Sicily and Italy. After 65 missions over enemy territory he was returned to the U.S. where he served as an instructor in combat training. He later completed an instrument flying course in the Army's Brian Field, Texas, after which he was an instrument officer. He holds the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, the European Theatre War Ribbon and the presidential Unit Citation. Discharged from Elgin Field, Florida on December 26, 1945, he joined the Air Reserve at Mitchel Field, New York.