Local News - June 2003

Post office at Iron Station adopts name

Published June 4, 2003

From staff reports

The Iron Station post office now carries a familiar name.

The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed a bill authored by U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger to name the U.S. Post Office in Iron Station in honor of Gen. Charles A. Gabriel of Lincolnton.

Gabriel served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force from July 1982 to July 1986. But naming the post office at Iron Station after him also  recognizes the long service of his father, Paul Gabriel, who worked in that facility for 44 years.

 Charles Gabriel was born in 1928 in Lincolnton. He graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1944 at the age of 16, and entered Catawba College where he was as a star football player.

He was admitted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point at the age of 18 and played quarterback for the football team.

He earned his commission and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. While on active duty, he continued his education and, in 1963, received a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University .

“General Gabriel served a long and commendable career as a combat fighter pilot and later in various staff positions,” Ballenger said in a speech on the House floor Monday.

He was first assigned to South Korea, where he flew over 100 combat missions during the Korean War. He then flew over 150 combat missions after being stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base from 1970 to 1972 during the Vietnam conflict.

In 1979, he became the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Readiness. In 1980, he was appointed Commander in Chief, United States Air Forces in Europe and Commander of Allied Air Forces Central Europe until his appointment in 1982 as Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Gabriel has received numerous awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.

“I ask my fellow colleagues to please join me in tribute to this great North Carolinian by naming the U.S. Post Office in Iron Station, North Carolina in his honor,” Ballenger said.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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