Alexander Gillis, USMC

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

Need information of USMC military career of Alexander Gillis,a Korean War fighter pilot who shot down three MiGs during a three-month tour in Korea. I believe Gillis was a three war veteran of WWII,the Korean War,and Vietnam War. What were his decorations he had won? What was his highest rank before he retired?


Sincerely,

Edward L. Hsiao

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

Any information yet about this US Marine fighter pilot?

Edward L. Hsiao

[keith A]

He later commanded VMA-225 as a Lieutenant Colonel, flying A-4 Oct1963-Mar 1964

regards

Keith

[keith A]

I note that this pilot claimed two Migs on 28 September 1952, but was shot down on the mission. Does anyone know how these were confirmed in the absence of camera gun film? I note that multiple kills on a mission where the claimant loses his own aircraft are very frequent, and usually unconfirmed by existing enemy records. It varies whether they are accepted by the air force of the claimant.

regards

Keith

[25Kingman49]

Lt Col Alexander James "Rocky" Gillis, Jr. Findagrave memorial

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...r-james-gillis

See

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/204017

https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Co...9000319800.pdf

https://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/P...00308000_1.pdf

https://www.dpaa.mil/portals/85/Docu...orwald_all.pdf

https://books.google.com/books?id=as...0pilot&f=false

With fold3.com access WW II Selective Service Registration card here

https://www.fold3.com/image/540573499

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by keith A

I note that this pilot claimed two Migs on 28 September 1952, but was shot down on the mission. Does anyone know how these were confirmed in the absence of camera gun film? I note that multiple kills on a mission where the claimant loses his own aircraft are very frequent, and usually unconfirmed by existing enemy records. It varies whether they are accepted by the air force of the claimant.

regards

Keith

Since Gillis flew two different missions on the 28th and claimed his first at 10.05H and the second at 15.15H, at least his first claim should have been visible on a gun camera film. Since he did not return from the second mission someone else must have made the claim for him.

We also know that both sides overclaimed during the Korean conflict and today with a lot of hindsight it is possible to compare information from both sides. However that makes no difference, since a confirmed claim is just that.
No Air Force/Navy in the world would go back and change any records simply because we know it is wrong.

Cheers
Stig

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Thank you for your reply. So it was confirmed that Alexander J. Gillis flew in three wars. WWII,Korean War,and Vietnam War.

Edward L. Hsiao

[keith A]

It does. He may have flown as a pilot in WW2 but there's no mention of him serving in combat in WW2. He may have entered the AvCad program in 1942 but did he qualify as a military pilot? I am beginning to think that he had did not progress to a combat squadron, perhaps as an instructor? To be a Major in 1952 would argue lengthy USMC service and regular promotion but there's no mention of war service anywhere in a combat unit.