In the skies over Europe, the North American P-51 Mustang became the long-range escort fighter that ultimately crippled the Luftwaffe. Its most famous early champion was Captain Dominic S. Don Gentile, who flew the beautifully named Shangri-La.
The American Who Started as a Canadian
Don Gentile’s career is unique because he initially couldn't get into the U.S. Army Air Corps due to a requirement for two years of college, which he lacked. With over 300 flying hours in his father's personal plane, he was a skilled pilot, but bureaucratic hurdles forced him to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1941.
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The Eagle Squadrons: Gentile flew the Spitfire with No. 133 Squadron, one of the famous Eagle Squadrons composed entirely of American volunteers flying for the RAF. After the U.S. entered the war, these squadrons were transferred to the USAAF to form the nucleus of the legendary 4th Fighter Group.
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From Thunderbolt to Mustang: Gentile initially flew the heavy Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in the 4th FG and was, like many pilots who had flown the nimble Spitfire, initially disappointed. His fortunes changed dramatically when the group transitioned to the powerful, sleek, long-range P-51B Mustang in early 1944—the fighter he would immortalize.
'Shangri-La': The Epitome of Air Power
Gentile named his P-51B Shangri-La, after the fictional Himalayan paradise from the 1937 novel Lost Horizon, later made into a movie. The name conveyed the idea of a safe harbor and a better world they were fighting for. It was a potent symbol.
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A Brief but Brilliant Reign: In just over three months flying the Mustang, Gentile's score skyrocketed. On April 5, 1944, he downed his 27th enemy aircraft, officially surpassing the World War I record of 26 kills held by American Ace of Aces Eddie Rickenbacker. This achievement was a massive morale boost and made Gentile an instant national hero, earning him the title, Ace of Aces.
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The Crash that Ended the Mission: The fame came at a cost. Just days after setting the record, Gentile was ordered home for a War Bond tour. Eager to impress the press and photographers assembled on the ground at Debden, he attempted a daring, high-speed, low-level pass in Shangri-La. Tragically, he misjudged the pass, clipped a mound of earth, and tore off the aircraft’s landing gear and part of the wing, ground-looping the famous plane into a wreck.
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Post-War Tragedy: Though his final tally was later reduced to 19.83 aerial victories (the ground kills were separated), Gentile remained a decorated hero. After the war, he stayed in the newly formed U.S. Air Force. However, he met a tragic end in 1951 when he was killed at the age of 30 while flying a T-33 Shooting Star jet trainer that crashed in Maryland
