JACK GAMBLE

Major General Jack Kenneth Gamble Jack Gamble was born into an Army family at Scott Field, Belleville, Illinois in 1922. He later claimed Overton, Texas, where his mother had settled down to live, as his hometown. He attended Balboa High School in the Canal Zone. He enrolled in the University of Utah where he majored in engineering and played football. Jack left college to enlist in the Army Air Corps in April 1942, and entered the aviation cadet program. He graduated in March 1943 at Williams Field, Arizona with a commission as a second lieutenant and his pilot wings. He entered Night Fighter Combat Crew Training in Kissimmee, Florida and there met Marcia Anne Bowe. They began 62 years of marriage on January 22, 1945. In July 1943 he was assigned to the European Theater of Operations. Flying the Bristol Beaufighter, Lt Gamble completed 98 combat missions over North Africa, Sardinia, Corsica, Southern France and Northern Italy, accumulating 277 combat flying hours. In December 1944 he returned to the United States as a captain to become a P-61 Black Widow instructor pilot at Hammer Field, Fresno, California where son Pat was born. In March 1946 he was assigned to Germany where he spent three years flying the RF-51, P-61, P-38, P-39 and P-47 aircraft. Marcia and Pat later joined him there in the first wave of military dependents to enter Germany after the war. Jack served 4 years in the Pentagon, and was then transferred to Great Falls Air Force Base, Montana to assume command of the 29th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, where he flew the F-94C. Son Mike was born during this tour. Lt Col Gamble began an exchange tour of duty with the Royal Canadian Air Force Headquarters at Ottawa, where he flew the Canadian Saber. He was then assigned to Truax Field, Wisconsin where he flew the T-33 and F-102 Delta Dagger. He became commander of the 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Bunker Hill Air Force Base, Indiana where he flew the F-106 Delta Dart and was soon promoted to Colonel. Col Gamble was next assigned in 1961 to the 25th Air Division headquarters at McChord Air Force Base, Washington where he served as deputy chief of staff, civil engineering. In 1964 Jack was transferred to Ramstein Germany, to the 86th Air Division as Director of Operations. Col Gamble assumed command of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Suffolk Country Air Force Base, New York flying the F-101. There he was promoted to Brigadier General. He assumed command of the 35th Air Division with headquarters at Hancock Field, New York in 1969. General Gamble assumed command of the 20th North American Air Defense Command Region at Fort Lee Air Force Station, Fort Lee, Virginia. There he was promoted to Major General. General Gamble became commander of the 25th North American Air Defense Command at McChord Air Force Base, Washington in March 1972. In 1974 he was assigned as commander of the Alaskan Air Command at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, where he flew the F-4E and C-130. Jack's decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was a command pilot with over 5000 flying hours in 38 types of aircraft. Jack retired in 1975 with over 33 years of service to his country. He and Marcia made their home in Oakbrook where he became active in community volunteer activities for many years. He is survived by his sons, Pat and Mike, daughters-in-law Ailese and Susan, three grandchildren, Jeffrey, Jennifer and Michael, and two great grandsons, Michael and Luke. Services will be held Friday, March 18th, 11am, at St John Bosco Church, Lakewood , Washington. Arrangements by New Tacoma Funeral Home. Donations may be made in Jack's name to your favorite charity.