Born in Great Falls, Montana, in November 1920, Gregory soon became known as Gus, from his middle name Augustus. He grew up in California, and upon graduating from high school he worked in the motion picture industry in various positions. He took flying lessons on the side and qualified as a private pilot at the age of 16. When the war broke out in Europe he joined the RAF, went to an Operational Training Unit in England, and eventually was assigned to No. 71 Eagle Squadron.
While flying Hurricanes, he shot down his first Me-109 over France in July 1941. In the same month he shot down a second Me-109, followed by a Do-17 in August. In early September, flying a Spitfire, he shot down another Me-109, and later in the month he became an Ace by destroying his fifth enemy aircraft - another Me-109.
Gus was sent to the States in December on a lecture tour and returned to combat in June 1942. In August he was promoted to Commander of No. 71 Eagle squadron. In September 1942 the Eagle squadrons were transferred to the USAAF, where he received a commission as a Major. By then he had a record of seven enemy aircraft destroyed and was appointed Commander of 4th fighter Group, 334th Squadron.
Eventually he was returned to the States to develop a combat indoctrination programme for the USAAF. In November 1945 he left the service and and returned to the movie industry. He obtained a degree in Physics from Cal Tech and entered the aerospace industry, leaving in 1957 to join Interstate Electronics Corporation, from which he retired in 1987.
He became a Lt. Colonel in the USAAF Reserve. He had flown Hurricanes, Spitfires and P47's, and was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar by King George VI.
While flying Hurricanes, he shot down his first Me-109 over France in July 1941. In the same month he shot down a second Me-109, followed by a Do-17 in August. In early September, flying a Spitfire, he shot down another Me-109, and later in the month he became an Ace by destroying his fifth enemy aircraft - another Me-109.
Gus was sent to the States in December on a lecture tour and returned to combat in June 1942. In August he was promoted to Commander of No. 71 Eagle squadron. In September 1942 the Eagle squadrons were transferred to the USAAF, where he received a commission as a Major. By then he had a record of seven enemy aircraft destroyed and was appointed Commander of 4th fighter Group, 334th Squadron.
Eventually he was returned to the States to develop a combat indoctrination programme for the USAAF. In November 1945 he left the service and and returned to the movie industry. He obtained a degree in Physics from Cal Tech and entered the aerospace industry, leaving in 1957 to join Interstate Electronics Corporation, from which he retired in 1987.
He became a Lt. Colonel in the USAAF Reserve. He had flown Hurricanes, Spitfires and P47's, and was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar by King George VI.
Born in Great Falls, Montana, in November 1920, Gregory soon became known as Gus, from his middle name Augustus. He grew up in California, and upon graduating from high school he worked in the motion picture industry in various positions. He took flying lessons on the side and qualified as a private pilot at the age of 16. When the war broke out in Europe he joined the RAF, went to an Operational Training Unit in England, and eventually was assigned to No. 71 Eagle Squadron.
While flying Hurricanes, he shot down his first Me-109 over France in July 1941. In the same month he shot down a second Me-109, followed by a Do-17 in August. In early September, flying a Spitfire, he shot down another Me-109, and later in the month he became an Ace by destroying his fifth enemy aircraft - another Me-109.
Gus was sent to the States in December on a lecture tour and returned to combat in June 1942. In August he was promoted to Commander of No. 71 Eagle squadron. In September 1942 the Eagle squadrons were transferred to the USAAF, where he received a commission as a Major. By then he had a record of seven enemy aircraft destroyed and was appointed Commander of 4th fighter Group, 334th Squadron.
Eventually he was returned to the States to develop a combat indoctrination programme for the USAAF. In November 1945 he left the service and and returned to the movie industry. He obtained a degree in Physics from Cal Tech and entered the aerospace industry, leaving in 1957 to join Interstate Electronics Corporation, from which he retired in 1987.
He became a Lt. Colonel in the USAAF Reserve. He had flown Hurricanes, Spitfires and P47's, and was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar by King George VI.
While flying Hurricanes, he shot down his first Me-109 over France in July 1941. In the same month he shot down a second Me-109, followed by a Do-17 in August. In early September, flying a Spitfire, he shot down another Me-109, and later in the month he became an Ace by destroying his fifth enemy aircraft - another Me-109.
Gus was sent to the States in December on a lecture tour and returned to combat in June 1942. In August he was promoted to Commander of No. 71 Eagle squadron. In September 1942 the Eagle squadrons were transferred to the USAAF, where he received a commission as a Major. By then he had a record of seven enemy aircraft destroyed and was appointed Commander of 4th fighter Group, 334th Squadron.
Eventually he was returned to the States to develop a combat indoctrination programme for the USAAF. In November 1945 he left the service and and returned to the movie industry. He obtained a degree in Physics from Cal Tech and entered the aerospace industry, leaving in 1957 to join Interstate Electronics Corporation, from which he retired in 1987.
He became a Lt. Colonel in the USAAF Reserve. He had flown Hurricanes, Spitfires and P47's, and was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar by King George VI.
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