Robert N. Gale of the "Burma Banshees"

88th FS

Handle Wail
Joined 412th June 2001
Real Name Chris Gale
Birthday 1959
Home Base California, USA
Time Zone PST (GMT -8:00)
Family Wife, Brenda & 3 kids
Occupation Heavy equipment transport driver
Short Bio

Flight-sim History I started flight sims about 3 years ago. My only experience (with on-line sims) before joining AH was with AW.
Quote / Expression "The war is lost." -Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, upon seeing P-51s over the skies of Europe
Stuff I like Restored WWII aircraft, hooking a big fish, building and flying radio-controlled airplanes
Stuff I don't like Working long hours, getting shot down
Other Interests

I'd like to dedicate this page to my uncle, who I admire beyond words, Robert N. Gale, who flew in the China-Burma-India theatre. That's his picture up there on the left. He was with the 80th FG, 88th FS, known as the Burma Banshees [not to be confused with the infamous Flying Tigers], the nickname given to them by the natives because of the high-pitched whistling noise the P-40 made during dive bomb runs.

On 9 July 1944, his squadron took off from Myitkyina, Burma. About 5 minutes after takeoff, they were attacked by approximately 30 Japanese aircraft. There was a low cloud cover that day, and visibility was limited. Robert's wingman was shot down immediately, but Robert was able to dive into the clouds and evade. He turned back toward where he thought the enemies might be, and through the clouds, he spotted an Oscar. He was able to maneuver his P-40N in behind the enemy and shoot him down. Soon after, he was able to get on the six of another Jap. He opened fire and was hitting the aircraft, when the Jap, trying to evade, attempted a split-S. My uncle, knowing that they were only 500 ft. off the ground, did not follow through but pulled up. The Japs eventually fled, and later, ground crews confirmed both enemy aircraft were downed. My uncle was rewarded with 2 victories. This is the mission which Robert describes as the most fearful of his military career.

He was later stationed at Perrin Field, Denison, Texas, where he was a trainer refresher course instructor for the pilots who came back from overseas. There, he met Bud Anderson and Chuck Yeager, who were both taking refresher courses. Robert even went to see a few movies with them.

By the way, Robert is alive and well and lives about 30 miles away from me. Also, my uncle is mentioned [I'm not sure to what extent yet] in a recently released book, P-40 Warhawk Aces of the CBI: Aircraft of the Aces 35.
Background Music Jump, Jive and Wail

Awards and Decorations

Award

Date Received

Circumstances
Skill: Dive Bombing 05/28/2002 Qualification with the squadron TO
Skill: HVARs 05/24/2002 Qualification with the squadron TO
Skill: Air Combat and Basic Flight Maneuvers 05/24/2002 Qualification with the squadron TO
Purple Heart Purple Heart

05/19/2002

TOD 28

Successful landing after pilot wounded

Witnessed by Midnight
Meritorious Service Air Force Meritorious Service Air Force

05/05/2002

TOD 28

For support of the squad night objective in the ndisles terrain. Capture of Bishop held Port 55 on the north island.
Army Commendation Medal

04/30/2001

TOD 27

 P-51D: Ace Awarded : 10 kills in a single hop

Wingman : XAKL
Silver Star

04/01/2002

for TOD 26

 Achieved a 3.3129 average K/D for fighter/attack
The Cross

03/01/2002

for TOD 25

 Achieved 96.79% of fighter/attack kills in a P-51
SKILL: Damage Control

02/17/2002

 Demonstration of damage control while in flight. Succesful RTB with heavy damage.
Silver Star

02/01/2002

for TOD 24

 Achieved a 5.1613 average K/D for fighter/attack
The Cross

02/01/2002

for TOD 24

 Achieved 95.61% of fighter/attack kills in a P-51
Combat Readiness

02/01/2002

for TOD 24

 K/D Fighter : 3.959: Attack : 6.3636
Army Achievement 02/01/2002 Co-recruited Pand into the squadron
Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Flying Cross

01/03/2002

TOD 24

P-51D: Triple Ace Awarded : 15 kills in a single sortie

Wingman: BLUEmako, jonnyb
Combat Readiness

01/01/2002

for TOD 23

 K/D Fighter : 2.9897 : Attack : 2.25
Presidential Unit Citation

01/01/2002

for TOD 23

 Squadron achieved Fighter K/D of 1.6688 and Attack K/D of 1.8333
Meritorious Serivce Airforce

11/25/2001

TOD 22

 For performance of his duties during Operation "Pyromania" in the MA, contributing the the 412th's air superiority and support of the Rook strike force.
Airman's Medal Airman's Ribbon

11/21/2001

TOD 22

 Formation flying and wingman skills
Army Commendation Medal

11/11/2001

TOD 22

 P-51D: Ace Awarded : 11 kills in a single hop

Wingman : Pugg, Bane, xaqut1
Short Service Overseas

10/26/2001

Special Events

 P-51D flight member in TOD event "Seven Days in September"

RANK:

Second Lieutenant

10/26/2001

TOD 21

 Ability to show leadership, dedication to the squad
Army Commendation Medal 10/08/2001

TOD 21

 P-51D: Ace Awarded : 11 kills in a single hop

Wingman : Pugg666
Outstanding Unit Award 09/01/2001

for TOD 19

 Squadron achieved 1.5235 in Attack category
Army Achievement

09/01/2001

TOD 20

 For two months of continuous service in the 412th FS
Silver Star 08/01/2001

for TOD 17

 Achieved a 3.125 K/D in Attack catagory
Air Medal

08/01/2001

for TOD 17

 P-51D: 9th in K/D with 2.61 and 175 kills
Achievement Achievement 07/10/2001 Completing member profile
Army Commendation Medal 07/08/2001

TOD 17

 P-51D: Ace Awarded : 11 kills in a single hop

Wingman : XAKL
Air Medal 07/01/2001

for TOD 17

 P-51D: 6th in TK with 218 and K/D 3.21
Army Commendation Medal 06/29/2001

TOD 17

 P-51D: Ace Awarded : 6 kills in a single hop

Wingman :
Technical Sergeant 06/xx/2001

TOD 17

 Initial Rank when joining the squadron in June