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