Pritchard, Gilbert L., 1915-1990

Gilbert L. Pritchard (b. 1915, Redfield, S.D.-d. Mar. 20, 1990), U.S. Air Force officers, spent three years of enlisted service with the U.S. Army prior to his entry into college. Following graduation he returned to the service for Air Cadet training and in 1940 received a commission and his pilot's wings. In 1942 he went to North Africa with the 97th Bomb Group; in 1944 he was assigned to the 5th Wing; and served with the 52nd Fighter Group in Italy until the war in Europe ended. After assignments in the U.S., he assumed command of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Group, Far East Air Forces in Korea in 1953. This Group participated in the longest non-stop fighter flight in history, Japan to Australia. He accumulated more than 7,200 hours of flying time, many in jet aircraft, before retiring in 1966.