Mark Joseph Gilles
December 11, 1919 – November 8, 2022
We just lost another one of the last of the Greatest Generation. Mark was born on a dairy farm in Lena, Wisconsin, along with his twin brother, Merne, on 11 December 1919. He had nine siblings. His father, Frances Gilles, and mother, Ann Maloney Gilles preceded him in death, along with six of Mark’s siblings. Mark and June had five children; four boys and one girl. The eldest is Mark Timothy Gilles (Erin) of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina; 2nd is Colonel (USAF, retired) Gregory Lee Gilles (Janice) of Colorado Spring, Colorado; 3rd was Robert Stephen Gilles (Carol), now deceased, of Torrance, California; 4th is the only daughter, Patricia Mary Kathleen Wallet of Atlanta, Georgia; and 5th is Dr Christopher Peter Gilles of Tucson, Arizona. They were also blessed with 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Mark and June found great joy in their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and always had the welcome mat out for them.
Mark joined the Army Air Corps in November 1941 and received his flight training in California. That’s when he met the love of his life, Helen June Gibson, in Hollywood, California. They became engaged after he completed flight training, shortly before he left for England where he piloted B-17s on bombing missions over Europe. He served in the 8th Air Force, 95th Bomb Wing, 412th Bombardment Squadron, flying 32 combat missions over France, Germany, Russia and Italy. He flew two tactical missions on “D-Day”, 6 June 1944, in support of the allied invasion force. He also flew missions on June 1st, 4th, 7th, 14th and 15th, mostly in support of pre- and post-invasion operations. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, along with other combat medals and awards.
While Mark was in England, “June” attended UCLA, and upon his return, they were married on 21 October 1944 in Mark’s home town, Lena, Wisconsin. They moved 14 times during Mark’s Air Force career, including assignments to Guam and numerous stateside Air Force bases. As Mark says, he had tons of miles flying all over the world, adding up to over 5,000 flight hours and millions of miles. The majority of his career was spent in the famous 509th Bomb Wing.
Growing up on a dairy farm instilled in Mark a strong work ethic, while flying combat missions during World War II proved to be a defining time in his life. Together, these experiences set the tone for this “straight shooter” that would carry him through a long and rewarding 78 year journey with June.
Mark retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel and Command Pilot in December 1963, after a 22-year flying career that included three bomber squadron commander assignments, the last of which was a B-47 jet bomber squadron at Pease AFB, New Hampshire, where he retired from the Air Force. He flew many types of aircraft during his career, but principally the front line bombers of the day to include the B-17, B-29, B-50 and B-47 jet, which he literally flew all over the world.
His second career of 22 years was as the Regional Manager of the United Services Life Insurance Companies serving military officers and their dependents in Omaha, Nebraska and the surrounding areas. Upon final retirement, they moved to beautiful Carolina Trace near Sanford, North Carolina, designing and building their home and enjoying friends both in the Trace and Sanford. They have lived happily there for over 34 years. Once settled into their new community, they began their treasured world travels, which took them on five cruises, two river trips and many land trips throughout Europe, the Americas, the Pacific and China.
Mark, a farm boy in his youth, enjoyed riding his mower and, along with June, bringing more beauty to their home and property. They thoroughly enjoyed all their friends and social activities at Carolina Trace Country Club. Mark served on the Caroline Trace North Shore Board and drove cancer patients for “Wheels to Heal” for many years to all area hospitals. He had many friends in the Order of Daedalians, a military pilots’ fraternal organization, and at Saint Stephen Catholic Church. Mark’s was a life well lived. He loved his God, his family and friends, he gave generously, and was rewarded with long, successful careers.
Donations can be made to Saint Stephen Catholic Church Building Fund.