P-51 pilot Maj. Merle Gilbertson with flak damage to canopy.
Flora, North Dakota's Maj. Merle J. "Jackie" Gilbertson had a combat career that spanned nearly the entire time the 20th Fighter Group was active during the war. He joined the 55th Fighter Squadron at March Field on 9 February, 1943 and after training was sent overseas.
He was one of the 20th Fighter Group pilots who flew with the 55th Fighter Groups during November of 1943, to gain combat experience, and on 28 December he flew on the first official mission of the 20th.
On New Year's Day, 1944 he was made a Flight Commander and he held this position until 26 August when he was promoted to Squadron Operations Officer. He held this post until the end of his first combat tour on 26 September 1944.
Gilbertson returned to the States for a much-needed rest but by 1 January, 1945 he was back amongst the ranks of the 77th Fighter Squadron as their Operations Officer and on 6 January he was back in combat flying the P-51.
On 9 February, 1945 a FW-190 exploded in front of his aircraft while he was strafing Eperstedt Airfield, which shattered his canopy. Though he suffered minor injuries he went on to destroy 3 more aircraft on the ground before returning to base. He was involved in the Frantic VI Mission to Russia. He flew his 100th mission on 21 April, 1945, the day of the last official mission for the 20th.
Gilbertson flew a total of 434:35 combat hours, 310:10 on his first tour and 124:25 on the second. During that time he downed 2 1/2 Me-109s and shared a third of a victory of an He-111. He also destroyed 3 Fw-190s and 1 ui/se on the ground as well as damaging a Do-217 in the air and an Me-110 on the ground. He was awarded the Air Medal with 10 clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one cluster, the Purple Heart and a Silver Star.
2.83 air kills 4 ground kills.
He died in 1950 at the age of 30. Buried in Maddock North Dakota.