Gilbert G. Coen – 339th P-51 Fighter Group Pilot

[Two-Oaks]

Gilbert G. Coen was a P-51 pilot in the 504th Fighter Squadron which was part of the 339th Fighter Group stationed in England.  We were very fortunate to meet Mr. Coen around 20 years ago.  At the time, I worked with Mr. Coen’s son at Hewlett-Packard (HP).  When I learned his father was a P-51 pilot in Europe, I asked his son if I could introduce my 10 & 8 year old kids to him.  So he arranged for us to stop by his folks’ place on a Saturday afternoon.  Previously, I had taken my daughter & son to some air shows which showcased many WWII fighters & bombers.  But I never thought I would have an opportunity for them (or myself) to meet a WWII fighter pilot.  So I viewed it as a chance of a lifetime.

 

We had a wonderful Saturday afternoon!  Mr. Coen just loved my kids.  He really enjoyed telling some of his tales from Europe as much as we enjoyed hearing them.  He documented one of these stories which I have an original photocopy, titled MID-AIR COLLISION OVER GERMANY.  Unfortunately, the 2nd page is missing but page #1 tells the bulk of the story.  My son Jake, the 8 year old, took his Mega-Bloks ProBuilder P-51 Mustang kit that he had recently assembled.  Mr. Coen thought this was just so cool.  This is a day that my kids & I still talk about.

 

Within 2 months of meeting Mr. Coen, he passed away.  His son told me we were the last non-family he had seen and that Saturday afternoon with my kids had uplifted his spirits.  Because of this, Mrs. Coen gave us the items pictured: 339th FIGHTER GROUP hardback book, MUSTANG AT WAR by Roger A. Freeman hardback book, three 339th P-51 FIGHTER GROUP decals and an original copy of his MID-AIR COLLISION OVER GERMANY story.

 

I have met a handful of celebrities in my lifetime (Dan Aykroyd, John Mellencamp & Jerome Bettis), but they don’t compare to meeting Mr. Coen.

[warguy]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. I had the chance to have a Pearl Harbor survivor over for dinner with my wife, daughter and I. Even in his 90’s he was sharp as a tack, still driving, etc. We lost contact soon after and I am certain he has passed but we will never forget that evening and all the details he shared with us of that fateful Sunday morning. I am glad you and your kids had this opportunity. I can count on one hand the opportunities I have had meeting a vet from WWII. On one occasion, I purchased his grouping (a Navigator in the CBI) and these items are my most treasured. For me anyway, the opportunity just didn't come around much. This is what our hobby is all about.