Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner

Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner was born on 10 September 1921. He joined the Army Air Corps at age 21. Lefty flew 34 missions in the European theater in World War II in B-24s and B-17s and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze stars. Instead of returning home, he volunteered to join an elite group of pilots flying clandestine missions from Sweden. They flew top secret missions at night in bad weather to recover downed flyers and bring supplies and classified documents to the underground movement and POW's. After 12 missions, he returned to Texas and finished his education at Texas A&M. Lefty started a crop dusting business and developed a process to control mesquites and noxious brush on West Texas ranches. Lefty helped found the Confederate Air force (CAF), now known as the Commemorative Air Force, and was the first procurement officer for the Confederate Air Force enabling him to travel the world to repair and ferry vintage World War II aircraft home. He was the chief check pilot and maintenance engineer for the CAF. He was legendary for his flying ability, especially in his P38 "White Lightnin" which he flew in many Reno air races and air shows. He won first place in the Reno Unlimited Gold Race in 1976 flying his P 51 Mustang "Thunderbird". Lefty was the long time Brownwood airport manager, crop duster, flight instructor, and fixed base operator, specializing in World War II airplane repair, restoration, and aircraft rental. Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner died on 24 December 2008.