Gale Cleven

Gale Winston "Buck" Cleven (December 27, 1918 – November 17, 2006) was an American pilot who served with the 100th Bomb Group of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Early life and military service
Gale Cleven was born on December 27, 1918 in Lemmon, South Dakota, before the family moved to Wyoming for his father to work in the oil fields. Cleven grew up a little bit north of Casper, Wyoming and graduated valedictorian at his high school. He worked as a roughneck in the oil fields throughout his undergraduate career at the University of Wyoming. During his time at the University of Wyoming his studied mathematics and was a council member for Phi Delta Theta.

World War II
On February 20, 1940, Cleven enlisted in the Army and received flight training at Randolph and Kelly Fields, Texas. He was an instructor for the 29th Bomb Group in at the McDill Air Force base in May 1942, and was promoted to commander of the 350th Bomb Squadron in July 1942.

His service with the 100th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force began on October 27, 1942. He was a part of the Regensburg shuttle mission, piloting one of the few B-17s to reach North Africa. In January 1943 he was promoted to the rank of Major.

On October 8, 1943, while on his 22nd mission, he was shot down over Bremen, Germany. Cleven was then taken as a prisoner-of-war to Stalag Luft III and Stalag VII-A, before escaping to American lines in March 1945. During his time in the camp, Cleven taught advanced calculus to other prisoners.

Cleven continued to be a member of the Air Force and served through out the Korean and Vietnam wars before he retired, with the rank of Colonel.

Personal life
Cleven married his childhood sweetheart Marjorie Spencer from Lander, Wyoming in July 1945. She died from a brain aneurysm in August 1953 shortly after contracting polio while visiting her family in Coffeyville, Kansas. In 1955, he married Esther Lee Athey, to whom he remained married until he died in 2006, leaving behind his wife, a daughter and two grandchildren.

During flying school, Cleven was given the nickname Buck by fellow airman and best friend John "Bucky" Egan, as the latter thought that he looked like his friend from Wisconsin named Buck.

After the war, Cleven earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Ph.D. in interplanetary physics. After retiring from the Air Force, Cleven held a number of different jobs including in aeronautics and as the president of Webber College from 1979–1986. During his time as president at Webber College he was credited with increasing enrollment and the academic offerings of the college, and laying the foundation for the schools athletic programs.

In popular culture
Cleven is portrayed by Austin Butler in Apple TV+'s Masters of the Air. His future wife Marge Spencer is portrayed by Isabel May.

Awards and decorations
His awards include:

Distinguished Service Cross citation

 * Cleven, Gale W.
 * Major (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces
 * 350th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force
 * Date of Action: August 17, 1943


 * Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) Gale Winston Cleven, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 350th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), Eighth Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 17 August 1943, against enemy ground targets in Bremen, Germany. With his ship badly damaged, partially out of control, and with serous injuries to his personnel, Major Cleven continued to lead his squadron to the target in the face of extremely heavy attacks by enemy aircraft, executed a successful bombing attack, and reached base in North Africa safely. This brilliantly successful operation, to which Major Cleven contributed very largely, resulted in a damaging blow to the enemy by the destruction of military objectives and of a large number of enemy aircraft. The extraordinary heroism, coolness, and skill displayed by Major Cleven on this occasion reflect the greatest credit upon himself and were an inspiration to the members of his command.