iamtom

Gail Jacobson, only child of Fred and June Jacobson, was born June 28, 1924 in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Iowa schools and after graduating from high school, he joined the US Army to receive pilot training. During World War II he was a P-51 fighter pilot. He shot down 5 planes (sharing the fifth one with another pilot) making him a World War II ace. He also earned many ribbons and medals for his flying abilities. After the war, he married Elaine Haahr of Newell, Iowa and reentered the Army air force (now renamed the US Air Force). During this period he also continued his education and obtained his bachelor’s degree. After retiring from the Air Force as Lt. Colonel, he spent the next few years flying radio-controlled model airplanes, winning numerous awards for flying and spending much time in leadership positions and instructing new recruits in radio-control. He died as a result of a fall on June 1, 2010. Gail Jacobson is survived by his wife of 63 years, two daughters, Vicki and Christine, two grandchildren, and one great grandchild. The body was cremated. The date for memorial services will be announced later.

BarryReade

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A true American Hero.  His Obituary should be on the front page of the Newspaper.

His family is in my prayers

fizzwater2

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I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't know Jake very well, but did race with him once or twice, back in the .15 QM days. I have a .15QM kit for his Polekitty still..

My best wished to his family in this time of sorrow - and thanks, Jake, for your service for all those years, for keeping this world safer for the rest of us.

ChrisAttebery

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Agreed. I never met the man, but I would have been proud to shake his hand.

epr3

I got to race with Jake many times throught the years (QM 15) and will have many great memories. I have a Polekitty hanging on my wall. Thank you Jake for what you did to keep us free !!

rcpilot32

My Feedback: (67)

I always admired Jake. Many years ago, while i was still in the beginner class, i would watch him race and wish i could fly like that.
Jake raced his last race at Hodges Hobbies a couple of years ago. I had the priviledge of sitting by him at pylon #1. I had known Jake for over 20 years. He and I were the only ones sitting at the light station before the next class started. I had known that Jake have flown the P-51. He was always shy and quiet about talking about his experience. So i gave him a question i knew he would answer.

Being a kid of 20 to 21 flying the worlds greatest fighter plane, i asked Jake if he had ever just for the fun of it, seen just how fast a Mustang could go. Jake never seemed to smile much. This time, a smile came on his face and he seemed to light up at the question. In a low voice, Jake said, " a little over 500 mph in a dive". He opened up and for the first time, talked to me some about his war experience. I will never forget how he answered the question.

Jake will be missed. A true hero in my eyes.

James Barr
Liberty, SC

BarryReade

My Feedback: (1)

James, you were blessed to have known such a man!!

GREG DOE

40 years of great memories. I still have a Pole Kitty kit. Greg

Dan Vincent

Sorry I missed this thread until now.

Here's a picture of Gail. He had a large motor home and although he was much older than most other racers he could race with the best of them.

QM_Fan

I have the honor of knowing Jake through my father and many trips to go racing. I always enjoyed talking to him and the antics on the road too . I recall a race in Stone Mountain where it snowed with flurrys right in the middle of the day. Col. Jake was a great guy to know. My father and he stayed close over the years. Bob Reuther and Dave Latsha are also in here. I do not know the other guys name.
.

epr3

Looks like Lew Hipkins standing and Jim Bartels kneeling next to Bob Reuther

QM_Fan

i remember Bob taking off in his mooney at Rough River Dam State Park and making a wheels up landing shortly after that. Jim Bartels rings a bell. I am Lew's son Lewis.

epr3

I remember you Lewis, and was there when that "landing" happened, I always enjoyed Rough River, as I got to see a lot of friends at least once a year. Went to Rough River the first time with Bobby Blouch

QM_Fan

I always enjoyed that place. Remember pulling in one night, and seeing an airplane upside down, must have flipped on landing or something. I remember Bobby, first time i saw a cell phone in a car. And a rotary one at that. it was in his Blue station wagon. I'm sure i know you. i pass Beltzville all the time on my way to Pocono Raceway where I work and think of the races there too. I still have FLY RC on mom's car. she has passed along with Dad obviously (too young at 52) but that tag will stay in the family forever. I have a bunch of photos i need to scan and put up from races. I'll work on that in a few weeks.
Everyone is in them. Lots of photos from the awards banquet too. Some really dated clothes...