to the chief of staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium. He returned to the United States for combat crew training in July 1970 and was subsequently assigned as commander of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, flying 152 combat missions in F-4 Phantom IIs. While wing commander he accepted orders from General John D. Lavelle to falsify classified operations reports. General Lavelle was forced to retire because of these orders. He returned to the Air Staff in July 1972, as deputy for operational forces and deputy director of operations. Gabriel served as deputy chief of staff for operations at Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, from February 1975 to August 1977. He then became deputy commander in chief, U.S. Forces Korea and deputy commander in chief, United Nations Command, Seoul, South Korea. In April 1979, Gabriel returned to Air Force headquarters as deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and readiness. He served as commander in chief, United States Air Forces in Europe and commander of Allied Air Forces Central Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, from July 1980 to June 1982. Gabriel was promoted to general on August 1, 1980, and retired on July 1, 1986. Gabriel died in Arlington County, Virginia, of Alzheimer's disease, on September 4, 2003. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Flight information Awards and decorations References Official USAF Biography See also List of commanders of USAFE 1928 births 2003 deaths United States Air Force generals Chiefs of Staff of the United States Air Force United States Air Force personnel of the Korean War United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War American Korean War pilots American Vietnam War pilots United States Military Academy alumni Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science alumni Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Recipients of the Air Medal Order of National Security Merit members Recipients of the Order of the Sword (United States) Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal People from Lincolnton, North Carolina Burials at Arlington National Cemetery