Posted by Terry Powers on November 2, 2022:

Lest We Forget. I found this information on his Find A Grave biography: West Reading Pilot Killed In Jet Crash A 26-year-old U.S. Air Force pilot from West Reading, father of two children, was killed on Friday night when the F-80 jet fighter plane which he was flying crashed and burned while landing at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz. The victim was Second Lieut. Donald L. Gabel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Luther A. Gabel, 112 Second Ave., West Reading. His wife, the former Frances Kreisher, of Reading, and their two children, Donna Louise, 19 months and, and Nancy Eileen, two months, reside in Mesa, Ariz., about 16 miles from the base. Gabel's father said last night he has received no word from the air force on how the crash occured. He said the only news received here was in a call from Gabel's widow, who telephoned at 3 a. m. yesterday to tell the family of the crash. The Associated Press reported that the plane burned and exploded as Gabel attempted a landing during a routine transition flight. it was reported an air force board is investigating the cause of the crash. Gabel was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N. Y., in the class of 1949, and was commissioned in the air force. He was appointed by Congressman Daniel K. Hoch. Prior to his entrance to West Point, Gabel served in the air force. He was graduated from the Army Air Force Training Command base at Hondo Army Air Field, Hondo, Tex., in January 1945, receiving a commission as a second lieutenant and his wings as a navigator. Later he was an instructor at the same base. While at West Point, Gabel was a cadet captain and won a monogram in his second class year as a member of the pistol team. He was a member of the cadet hop committee. Prior to entering the air force, he was graduated from West Reading High School and attended Albright College. He was a clarinet player, having played with the Centerport Band and other bands in Reading and Berks County. Lieutenant Gabel had been at the Arizona base since February. Source: Reading Eagle, 07/30/1950, page 1 and page 8

admin