A Fighter Pilots Life

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:04 pm

A little photo essay of my dear friend Cy Gladen. Cy flew 164 missions in P-40Fs, Ms and P-38Hs in the 44th FS from Ftr Two on Guadalcanal, Segi Point & Munda Point on New Georgia.
Cy was also at Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th has a ass't crew chief in the 15th PG and rec'v a commendation for bravery which later was upgraded the the Commendation Medal with V.
Cy downed 2 Zeros and 3 Vals with 2 probables and 4 damaged. He was awarded the Silver Star, DFC and 12 Air Medals. He was truly a decent man and is greatly missed!
not bad for a farm boy from Bemidji, MN.

Cpl Gladen Hawaii 1940

Cadet Gladen with AT-6A at Moore Field, TX

Cy with fellow cadets Jack Garnett and Don Haggerty Aug 1942.

With 20 kill ace Westy Westbrook.

4th from right after rec'v Air Medal from Gen Strother.

Guadalcanal July 1943

Cy & Bob Byrnes watch ther kills being added to the 44th FS scoreboard.

flying P-40M #134 on Gaunt's wing

Cy at left

Maggie Francis, Gene Dreckman & Cy with the new 44th FS insignia Dec 1943.

Cy scored his 1st 2 kills in #111

Tarbet, Bunderson Cy and Byrnes getting drunk on G-Canal after their friend John Tedder was KIA.

44th FS photo with the last P-40 Nov 1943 cy is 2nd from right front

Capt Gladen in P-38H at Munda Point Dec 1943.

Capt Gladen post tour 1944

Lt Col Gladen USAF

Cy right with Ken Jernstedt of the AVG (Rossi on left) 1974

Holedigger · **Posted:** Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:14 pm

Not bad for a farm boy from Bemidji! It's just like a tractor, except with wings, and guns, and a bit faster, and people shooting at you! I knew a farm boy from a small town in WI...except he was in Europe in a P-38!

Great photo exposition as usual Jack!

jet1 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:46 pm

..and got stuck in the wrong war...

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:21 pm

Photos added...............

Mgawa · **Posted:** Wed Jul 08, 2009 11:37 pm

Excellent topic!!!!

Starduster77 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:00 am **Posts:** 169

Well I tried to get the photo on this post but no luck.
The photo labeled "Cy at left" with the men in front of the P-40,most have hands on hips.Palm trees in back.
Any ID on the 2 tall pilots on the right?
Big differance in size .
Thanks for sharing Jack.
Rick

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:30 am

2nd from the right is "Big Theo" Jennings.

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:43 am

That Stud-bunny pic in full flight gear behind the AT-6 with an ammo belt is priceless.

What a progression from youngster to honored Vet.

All the best Jack!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Jul 09, 2009 6:32 pm

Cy was a amazingly decent person. He volunteered a lot with the Boys & Girls Club and worked on Salmon conservation.
After he had a massive MI in 98 I went up to see him in the ICU after telling them he was my grandfather.
It was good to see him on last time say goodbye to my friend of 25+ years has he died a few hours later :cry:

Someday I'd like to see a P-40 fly in his markings!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:39 pm

Here's a few more photos.............

Cy on P-40M s/n 43-5673 at Quion Hill, Efate 3-43. This photo is in Squadron's Aces of the SW Pacific and IDed has Frank Gaunt.

Cy's P-40F #115 on the left at Fighter Two on G-Canal Sept 1943

Cy's #115 "Fugari" Aug 1943

ditto

44th FS at Oua Tom, NC at the completion of P-38 transition.
Cy is standing 5th from right

Photo from local newspaper story

With the Paul family's P-40N 1996

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