John Francis Gregal was born in Somerville,MA on 25 October 1918. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John P. Gregal eventually settled on Hastings Street in Framingham. John F. attended Framingham High School (FHS) graduating with the Class of 1937.
John F. Gregal, FHS Class of 1937
Image: FHS Yearbook
In December of that same year,John enlisted in the Army. In February of 1938, following initial training,he was sent to the Panama Canal Zone where he served until his Honorable Discharge in 1941. Soon thereafter,he re-enlisted and was sent to Hickam Field in Honolulu, Hawaii. John was at Hickam when the Japanese attacked on 7 December 1941.
From the National Archives –
” Aerial view of the Naval Operating Base, Pearl Harbor, looking southwest on 30 October 1941. Ford Island Naval Air Station is in the center, with the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard just beyond it, across the channel. The airfield in the upper left center is the Army's Hickam Field. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Catalog #: 80-G-182874”
Hickam Field, which is adjacent to the Pearl Harbor Navy Base, was established in 1935. It served as Hawaii's primary US Army Air Force (USAAF) airfield and bomber base. On December 7, 1941, 51 airplanes were on the ground and a flight of 12 B-17s was scheduled to arrive that morning. The first wave of the Japanese attack primarily targeted battleship row,but the airfields were also hit to prevent a counterattack against the Japanese aircraft and battle fleet. The Japanese hit the airfield in two waves, both of which were successful. Approximately half of Hickam’s aircraft were destroyed or severely damaged. The hangars, and several base facilities were also significantly damaged. According to the National Park Service, Hickam's casualty count for that day was 568 – 189 men killed, 336 wounded and 43 missing. John Gregal witnessed and survived the attack.
The 07 December 1941 Japanese attack on Hickam Field
Image: Associated Press (AP)
Severely Damaged B-17 Bomber
Image: AP
Following the attack,John was assigned to the USAAF’s 23rd Bomb Squadron as a B-17 Flying Fortress Radio Operator. At this juncture in the Pacific Theater, B-17’s functioned as long-range maritime patrol assets and surface ship attack platforms. Of note, B-17 and B-24 Radio Operators also manned a machine gun position.
Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress
Image: US Air Force
23rd Patch
Image: Public Domain
During the epic Battle of Midway, which lasted from 03 to 07 June 1942, the B-17E equipped 23rd Bombardment Squadron played a supporting role, primarily participating in maritime reconnaissance (recce) and long-range bombing missions. The 23rd was attached to the 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the Seventh Air Force. The Japanese battle plan was to capture Midway Island and use it as a base to extend their defensive perimeter and potentially launch further attacks on Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands were just over 1,000 miles from Midway.
Turning the Tide in the Pacific
Image: National Museum of the US Navy
By broadening the search area around the island, the USAAF B-17s, and Navy PBY Catalinas (its primary long range recce aircraft), provided critical early warning of the approaching Japanese invasion fleet and aircraft carrier strike forces. From 03 to 05 June, the Seventh Air Force flew 16 B-17 strikes and one torpedo attack by four B-26 Martin Marauders. On 03 June, nine B-17Es from Midway,including aircraft from the 23rd, undertook a long-range bombing mission against the Japanese invasion force located west of Midway.
The Battle of Midway was instrumental in stemming the tide in the Pacific. As stated by the National WWII Museum…
“Over the next two days, the US troops at sea and on Midway continued their attacks, forcing the Japanese to abandon the battle and retreat. The Japanese lost approximately 3,057 men, four carriers, one cruiser, and hundreds of aircraft, while the United States lost approximately 362 men, one carrier, one destroyer, and 144 aircraft. This critical US victory stopped the growth of Japan in the Pacific and put the United States in a position to begin shrinking the Japanese empire through a years-long series of island-hopping invasions and several even larger naval battles.”
For his bravery in combat operations, John Gregal received the Silver Star Medal. The citation reads...
“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John Gregal (ASN: 6144378), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action as a combat crew member of a United States Heavy Bomber in the 23d Bombardment Squadron, 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), SEVENTH Air Force, in the Battle of Midway between 3 and 7 June 1942.”
Silver Star Medal
While the B-17 performed well in the European Theater, it was not optimized for the unique operating environment in the Pacific. It demonstrated limited effectiveness when attempting to attack enemy surface ships. In early 1942, Pacific B-17’s were gradually replaced by Consolidated B-24 Liberators. This was the case for the 23rd Bomb Squadron.
B-24 Liberator
Image: US Air Force
As the war in the Southwestern Pacific unfolded,John continued to demonstrate his courage and radio/signals and gunnery expertise, particularly during the Allied campaign in the Solomon Islands.This included a deployment to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. In recognition of his bravery, he received two Air Medals. One was for meritorious achievement while participating in an 18 November 1942 mission in which his flight attacked Japanese surface ships while being swarmed by enemy aircraft. The attack resulted in the destruction of a large transport vessel and damage to a number of other Japanese ships. Several Japanese fighters were also shot down. In December of 1942 he was wounded in action. For this he received the Purple Heart. He would be awarded a second Air Medal for a similar action in January of 1943.
Purple Heart Air Medal (2 Awards)
Corporal John F. Gregal departed the Pacific Theatre on 18 April 1943 aboard the USS CHANDELEUR, a sea-plane tender.He was en route the Army’s Technical Training Center at Sheppard Air Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. He would stay in the Army until his retirement in 1963. His career spanned 26 years,including service in Korea. He was promoted to Sergeant, Sergeant First Class and eventually Command Sergeant Major (CSM). The CSM is the senior enlisted advisor to the commander in a unit. From 1952 to 1954 he was assigned as an instructor for the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) unit at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA. In 1957, he was again in Hawaii.
WPI Army ROTC Staff
Image: WPI 1952 Yearbook
*SFC Gregal top right
John passed away on 16 September 1983 after a battle with cancer. At the time,he was employed by the Navy Department as a Communications Management Specialist. He was 64 years old. His resting place is in Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Tong Ho Gregal is interred with him.
Resources
Army Air Corps Library and Museum (armyaircorpsmusem.org)
The Associated Press
The Boston Globe
The Boston Post
Framingham High School
The Framingham History Center
Framingham Historical Reflections, Edited by Martha E. Dewar and M. Joan Gilbert
The Library of Congress
Military Times Hall of Valor (https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-47307/)
The National Museum of the US Navy
The National Park Service
The National WWII Museum
R.J. Callahan, “Framingham Men in Action,” (Lecture, Jonathan Maynard School, February 2,1944).
Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway, by Jonathan Parshall & Anthony Tully
The US Air Force
The US Army Center of Military History
US National Archives
US Navy History and Heritage Command
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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