Gale Cleven

American pilot (1918–2006)
Marjorie Ruth Spencer
​
​
(m. 1945; died 1953)​
  • Esther Lee Athey
    ​
    (m. 1955)​

    • Gale Winston "Buck" Cleven (December 27, 1918 – November 17, 2006) was an American pilot who served with the 100th Bomb Group of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.[1][2]

    Military service

    World War II

    On February 20, 1940, Cleven enlisted in the Army. His service with the 100th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force began on October 27, 1942.[3]

    He was a part of the Regensburg shuttle mission, piloting one of the few B-17s to reach North Africa. On October 8, 1943, while on his 22nd mission, he was shot down over Bremen in Germany. Cleven was then taken as a prisoner-of-war to Stalag Luft III and Stalag VII-A, before escaping to American lines in March 1945.[3]

    Personal life

    Cleven married his childhood sweetheart Marjorie née Spencer from Lander, Wyoming in July 1945. She died from a brain aneurysm in August 1953 shortly after contracting polio while visiting her family in Coffeyville, Kansas.[4][5] In 1955, he married Esther Lee Athey, to whom he remained married until he died in 2006, leaving behind his wife, a daughter and two grandkids.[6]

    During flying school, Cleven was given the nickname Buck by fellow airman and best friend John "Bucky" Egan, as the latter thought that he looked like his friend from Wisconsin named Buck.[7]

    After the war, Cleven earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Ph.D. in interplanetary physics.[1]

    In popular culture

    Cleven is portrayed by Austin Butler in Apple TV+'s Masters of the Air.[6] His future wife Marge Spencer is portrayed by Isabel May.[8]

    Awards and decorations

    His awards include:

      USAF Command pilot badge
    Distinguished Service Cross
    Distinguished Flying Cross
    Bronze oak leaf cluster
    Bronze oak leaf cluster
    Bronze oak leaf cluster
    		 Air Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
    Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
    Prisoner of War Medal
    American Defense Service Medal
    American Campaign Medal
    Bronze star
    		 European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with bronze campaign star
    World War II Victory Medal
    Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes National Defense Service Medal
    Bronze oak leaf cluster
    Bronze oak leaf cluster
    Bronze oak leaf cluster
    Bronze oak leaf cluster
    		 Air Force Longevity Service Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters

    Distinguished Service Cross citation

    Cleven, Gale W.
    Major (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces
    350th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force
    Date of Action: August 17, 1943
    Citation:

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) Gale Winston Cleven, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 350th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), Eighth Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 17 August 1943, against enemy ground targets in Bremen, Germany. With his ship badly damaged, partially out of control, and with serous injuries to his personnel, Major Cleven continued to lead his squadron to the target in the face of extremely heavy attacks by enemy aircraft, executed a successful bombing attack, and reached base in North Africa safely. This brilliantly successful operation, to which Major Cleven contributed very largely, resulted in a damaging blow to the enemy by the destruction of military objectives and of a large number of enemy aircraft. The extraordinary heroism, coolness, and skill displayed by Major Cleven on this occasion reflect the greatest credit upon himself and were an inspiration to the members of his command.[9]

    References

    1. ^ a b Miller, Donald L. (2007). Masters of the air: America's bomber boys who fought the air war against Nazi Germany (1. Simon & Schuster trade paperback ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9780743235457.
    2. ^ "Major Gale Cleven, Odessan, comes through tough raid". The Odessa American. October 26, 1943. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
    3. ^ a b "Personnel". 100th Bomb Group Foundation. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
    4. ^ https://100thbg.com/personnel/?personnel_id=911
    5. ^ "Article clipped from Fort Worth Star-Telegram". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 1953-08-25. p. 20. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
    6. ^ a b Jonny Wilkes (January 26, 2024). "The real Gale Cleven: who was Buck in Masters of the Air?". History Extra. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
    7. ^ Meilan Solly (23 January 2024). "The Real History Behind 'Masters of the Air' and the 100th Bomb Group". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
    8. ^ https://wegotthiscovered.com/tv/when-do-new-episodes-of-masters-of-the-air-release-and-how-many-are-there/
    9. ^ "Valor awards for Gale Winston Cleven". Military Times. Retrieved 2024-05-04.

    External links

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