Gerald Gustafson
{{Short description|American fighter pilot (1928–2024)}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Gerald Gustafson
| birth_date = {{birth date|1928|09|14}}
| birth_place = New Ulm, Minnesota, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|03|01|1928|09|14}}
| death_place = Mankato, Minnesota, U.S.
| placeofburial = Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, U.S.
| placeofburial_label =
| image = Ggus.JPG
| caption = Gustafson in 2009
| nickname = Gus
| allegiance = United States of America
| branch = {{air force|United States}}
| serviceyears = 1950–1978
| rank = Colonel
| commands = Air Force ROTC detachment (University of Maryland)
| unit = 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron
| battles = Vietnam War
| awards = Air Force Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal (11)
| relations =
| laterwork =
}}
Gerald Clayton Gustafson (September 14, 1928 – March 1, 2024) was an American fighter pilot during the period after World War II. His most notable achievements came during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Air Force Cross.
Early life
Gustafson was born in New Ulm, Minnesota, in 1928. His grandparents were Swedish immigrants and his father, Herbert C. Gustafson was an artilleryman in France during World War I. Both parents were offspring of Swedish immigrants. In the early part of his life he lost the tip of his right index finger in a farming accident. Later on his flying career was almost ended because the Air Force considered it a "missing digit" but later changed its classification to a "terminal digit."
Air Force service
Gustafson initially joined the Air Force in 1950 and after completing basic training in Texas was trained in the use of bombardier equipment on the B-26. After completing his training and missing service in the Korean War, he was approved for a new pilot program and trained in Piper Cub and T-6 Texan. He received advanced fighter training in the P-80 Shooting Star.
After his officer and flight training, Gustafson was stationed in Wisconsin; Thule Air Base, Greenland; Texas; and California. During this time he flew F-86D Sabre, F-102, and F-106 Delta Dart.
Immediately before his Vietnam service, he was cross-trained in the F-105 Thunderchief out of Nellis AFB. After his service in Vietnam, he flew F-105 out of Okinawa Japan.
File:Republic F-105D cockpit 060901-F-1234S-009.jpg of a F-105D Thunderchief]]
Air Force Cross
Gerald Gustafson won the Air Force Cross, the second highest award for gallantry in the United States Air Force, during the Vietnam War.{{cite web|url=http://www.vietnamunitmemorialdisplay.org/new_page_9.htm |title=Air Force Cross Medal |work=VietnamUnitMemorialDisplay.org |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201184206/http://www.vietnamunitmemorialdisplay.org/new_page_9.htm |archivedate=2008-12-01 }} He flew F-105 Thunderchiefs from Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand and was shot down on two occasions.
Gustafson was awarded the medal in November, 1967. His citation noted that "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, awards the Air Force Cross to Major Gerald C. Gustafson for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on November 19, 1967. On that date, Major Gustafson's aircraft was severely damaged by a surface-to-air missile while he was assisting another pilot who had received battle damage and had been wounded. Major Gustafson refused to leave his comrade until other escort aircraft could be vectored in to give the wounded pilot assistance in reaching his home base safely. Only then, did Major Gustafson egress to a safer area where he was forced to eject from his own stricken aircraft. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Major Gustafson reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."{{cite web |url=http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/08_afc/afc_01rvn.html |title=The Air Force Cross in Vietnam |work=HomeOfHeroes.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829201544/http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/08_afc/afc_01rvn.html |archivedate=2006-08-29 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/books/airforce/AFC_All.doc|title=Citations-Recipients of the Air Force Cross|work=HomeOfHeroes.com|access-date=2009-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702070042/http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/books/airforce/AFC_All.doc|archive-date=2017-07-02|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.legionofvalor.com/citation_parse.php?uid=1001365072 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128005351/http://www.legionofvalor.com/citation_parse.php?uid=1001365072 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-28 |title=Legion of Valor |work=legionofvalor.com }}
Gustafson along with Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Smith and Major Bruce Stocks all received Air Force Crosses for the same mission on November 19, 1967.
Post-Air Force
After Vietnam, Gustafson was put off of flying duty due to an injury which left his eye unable to dilate properly. He was transferred first to attend at the National War College, then worked at the Pentagon. He retired with the rank of Colonel in 1979 to New Richland. Gustafson was actively involved in the VFW, the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, and the Air Force Association. He often spoke to students and classes about his experiences.{{cite web|url=http://www.stthomas.edu/aquin/0506/051118.pdf|title="The Aquin," November 2005|work=St. Thomas University}}
Gustafson died of old age in Mankato, Minnesota, on March 1, 2024, at the age of 95.{{cite web |title=Gerald "Gus" Clayton Gustafson |url=https://www.dsofuneral.com/obituaries/gerald-gus-gustafson |website=DS Funeral Home |access-date=March 2, 2024}}
Awards and decorations
| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
| colspan="4"|200px |
| colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Cross ribbon.svg|width=110}}{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|other_device=v|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=110}} |
| {{ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=10|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=|ribbon=Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=|ribbon=AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png|width=110}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|other_device=v|ribbon=Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg|width=110}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Combat Readiness Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=110}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=110}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg|width=110}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=|ribbon=USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg |width=110}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|other_device=|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=110}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=110}} |
| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
| colspan="12"|Command Pilot |
| colspan="6"| Air Force Cross
|colspan="6"| Distinguished Flying Cross |
| colspan="4"|Purple Heart
|colspan="4"|Meritorious Service Medal |colspan="4"|Air Medal |
| colspan="4"|Air Force Commendation Medal
|colspan="4"|Air Force Presidential Unit Citation |colspan="4"|Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| colspan="4"|Combat Readiness Medal
|colspan="4"|Army Good Conduct Medal |colspan="4"|National Defense Service Medal |
| colspan="4"|Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
|colspan="4"|Vietnam Service Medal |colspan="4"|Air Force Longevity Service Award |
| colspan="4"|Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
|colspan="4"|Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation |colspan="4"|Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gustafson, Gerald}}
Category:American people of Swedish descent
Category:Aviators from Minnesota
Category:United States Air Force colonels
Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War
Category:Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United States)
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
Category:Recipients of the Air Medal