Wayne C. Gatlin
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Air Force
Wayne C. Gatlin of Minneapolis, Minnesota, entered the Army Air Corps on September 30, 1942. He was on active duty on January 23, 1943. In the Air cadet program, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant March 12, 1944, and assigned to P-47s. In September, 1944, he was assigned to the 360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, Martlesham Heath, England.
By war's end, he had flown 55 missions, six in P-47s and rest in P-51 Mustangs, and was flight leader. He was credited with one German ME-262 jet aircraft destroyed and one damaged in aerial combat. He returned to U.S. on November, 1945, and was discharged December, 1945.
World War II decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with 3 bronze battle stars, American Campaign Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
He served in the Minnesota Air National Guard after WWII and was recalled to active duty for 21 months during Korean conflict. He retired from the Guard as Major General on August 26, 1984. His last assignment was as Chief of Staff for Air, Minnesota Air National Guard. He piloted F-4-D jet aircraft on last military flight August 25, 1984, one day before mandatory retirement age 60, "one of the last World War II fighter pilots still in the cockpit."
Mr. Gatlin was born in August of 1924 in Duluth, Minnesota. He is the son of Charles and Huldie Gatlin. He graduated from Denfield High School in 1942.
Source: Veterans' Memorial Hall, veteran history form; veteran account follows:
"I enlisted on September of 1942 in the Aviation Cadet Program. Called to active duty on January 30, 1943, as an aviation cadet. Finished flight training and rated pilot on March 12, 1944, and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. Completed P-47 training August of 1943 and sent overseas to the 356th Fighter Group, 360th Fighter Squadron at Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, England. I flew 55 missions (6P-47 and P-49) and P-51. I was credited with one Messerschmitt Me 262 destroyed and one Messerschmitt Me 262 damaged. Finished combat as a flight leader in the 360th Flight Squadron. I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters."
