William Lionel Gibbs (1920 - 1945)

Born 6 Jan 1920 in Waverly, Franklin, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Olive Blanche (Maxham) Belknap — married 22 Jun 1939 in Stowe, Lamoille, Vermont, USA

Died 4 Jan 1945 at age 24 in Mande-Saint-Etienne, Bertogne, Luxembourg, Belgium

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Andrew Simpier [send private message]

Biography

William Gibbs was born in New York.

William Gibbs was a Vermonter.

Pvt William Gibbs served in the United States Army in World War II
Service started: Jul 1943
Unit(s): 513th Para Inf Reg, 17th Airborne Div
Service ended: 4 Jan 1945

Pvt William Gibbs was Killed in Action in Belgium 4 Jan 1945 during World War II.

My great uncle a true War Hero

William Gibbs was awarded the Purple Heart.

Pvt William Lionel "Bill" Gibbs was born Tuesday January 6, 1920 in Waverly, Franklin, New York. He was the son of Rev. John Charles Gibbs Sr. and Lottie Pearl (Green) Barrett. He was Killed In Action January 4, 1945 in Mande-Saint-Etienne, Bertogne, Luxembourg, Belgium.

Great uncle Bill with hands in pocket wearing sweater on left

PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

Pvt. William Gibbs “KIA” Belgium 1945^[1][2][3]

Fold3^[4][5]

Never forgotten William “Bill” Lionel Gibbs

William’s name means

Origin of the name William:

From the Old Norman French Willaume, which is derived from the Old High German Willehelm, a compound name composed from the elements willeo (will, determination) and helm (protection, helmet): hence, "resolute protector." William is the most popular name introduced to England by the Normans. It was borne by William the Conqueror (1027? - 87), who invaded England and defeated Harald at the Battle of Hastings, and by three other kings of England.

The name William is a German baby name. In German the meaning of the name William is: Resolute protector; will. For a long time after the Norman conquest in A.D. 1066 many English boys were given some form of William the Conquer's name. William. The firstborn son of Prince Charles is named William.

William “Bill” Lionel Gibbs served as a Private, Infantry, U.S. Army during World War II.

He was a paratrooper in U.S. Army/Airborne division.

He resided in Washington County, Vermont prior to the war.

William was Killed In Action during World War 2 and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Great uncle Bill’s Purple heart

Purple Heart Awarded

Service # 31340274

Great uncle Bill’s dog tag

The LION of Our Family

Medal plaque

The boy name Lionel is pronounced as LAYahNahL †. Lionel is used predominantly in the English and French languages, and it is derived from Latin origins. The name is of the meaning “YOUNG LION”

William Lionel Gibbs is the son of Reverend John Charles Gibbs and Lottie Pearl Barrett (Green). He had 14 siblings.

He married Olive Blanche Maxham on June 22, 1939.

A TRUE WAR HERO

Great Uncle Bill awarded Purple Heart

513th Parachute Infantry 13th Airborne Division Company “F” also see transfer from 13th Airborne Division to 17th Airborne Division. Also see obituary.

513th Parachute Infantry 13th Airborne Division Completion Certificate

Wikipedia says the 513th was originally part of the 13th Airborne, but transferred to the 17th Airborne in 1944. Here's another link with more details about their actions in the Battle of the Bulge

The day to day actions of the 513th during the Battle of the Bulge From a Tribute to the 17th Airborne

The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment was constituted on 26 December 1942 and assigned to the 13th Airborne Division. It moved from Fort Benning to Fort Bragg before being assigned to Camp Mackall, North Carolina, in January 1944, but was transferred to the Tennessee Maneuver Area and, in March 1944, assigned to the 17th Airborne Division, commanded by Major General William "Bud" Miley.

The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment on WikiPedia.

Birth

William L Gibbs was born on January 6, 1920, in Waverly, New York.^[6]

William Gibbs was born about 1920 in New York. He arrived in Quebec, Canada, on May 29, 1925, at the age of 5.^[7]

Education

Highest level of education one year of high school

Marriage

William Lionel Gibbs was born about 1920, the son of Lottie and John. He married Olive Blanche Maxham on June 22, 1939, in Stowe, Vermont ^[8][9]

Military

Uncle Bill

WWII Draft Card^[10]

The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment Roll of Honor^[11]

Paratrooper Gibbs

National Archives & Records Administration War Department Files PVT WILLIAM L. GIBBS

The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment In the Bulge: Colonel James W. COUTTS, 513th PIR, 17th Airborne

The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment In the Bulge: Colonel James W. COUTTS, 513th PIR, 17th Airborne

Battle of the Bulge German offensive through the Ardennes forest on the Western Front towards the end of World War II

Battle of the Bulge

U.S. AIRBORNE 513th ROSTER: LISTS GREAT UNCLE WILLIAM “BILL” LIONEL GIBBS: U.S. AIRBORNE 513th ROSTER LISTS

513th Parachute Infantry Regiment United States: 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment United States

The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment TROOPER PICS: The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment TROOPER PICS

Welcome to the home of the Scions of the 17th Airborne Division: Welcome to the home of the Scions of the 17th Airborne Division

THE 17th AIRBORNE DURING WWII: The Division entered the Ardennes campaign, 4 to 9 January, at the Battle of Dead Man's Ridge. It captured several small Belgian towns and entered Flamierge, 7 January, but enemy counterattacks necessitated a withdrawal. However, constant pressure and aggressive patrolling caused the enemy to retreat to the Our River. On 18 January, the Division relieved the 11th Armored Division at Houffalize, pushed enemy remnants from the Bulge, and seized Wattermal and Espeler, 26 January. Coming under the III Corps, the 17th turned toward Luxembourg, taking Eschweiler and Clervaux and clearing the enemy from the west bank of the Our River. Aggressive patrols crossed the river to probe the Siegfried Line defenses and established a limited bridgehead near Dasburg before being relieved by the 6th Armored Division, 10 February: [THE 17th AIRBORNE DURING WWII

2nd cousin “KIA” Samuel Rounds Gibbs (1922 - 1943)

Census

1930 United States Census

William Gibbs was born about 1920, the son of Lottie and John. In 1930, he was 10 years old and lived in Stowe, Vermont, with his father, mother, 4 brothers, and 5 sisters ^[12]

John Gibbs Head M 35 New York

Lottie Gibbs Wife F 34 New York

Erva Gibbs Daughter F 15 New York

John Gibbs Jr. Son M 14 New York

Bernarr Gibbs Son M 12 New York

William Gibbs Son M 10 New York

Charlott Gibbs Daughter F 8 Pennsylvania

Myrtle Gibbs Daughter F 6 New York

Mary Gibbs Daughter F 5 New York

Flossie Gibbs Daughter F 4 United States

David Gibbs Son M 2 Vermont

James Gibbs Son M 1 Vermont^[13]

1940 United States Census

William L Gibbs was born about 1920. In 1940, he was 20 years old and lived in Stowe, Vermont^[14]

Occupation

• Plate Sander at Novelty Shop Company May 17, 1940; his wife is a housekeeper per 1940 Census report

Historical Insights

• William Lionel Gibbs most likely read or shopped from the Sears catalog from 1914–1930.

• William Lionel Gibbs may have participated in a 4-H program while a youth in Stowe, Vermont, in 1930.

• The government programs started by the first “New Deal” in 1933 may have assisted William Lionel Gibbs from Stowe, Vermont.

• During the Great Depression, William Lionel Gibbs likely faced hardships like joblessness and scant resources while living in Stowe, Vermont in 1935.

• In 1936, William Lionel Gibbs may have watched Jesse Owens win Olympic Gold during the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

• William Lionel Gibbs was likely living in Stowe, Vermont, one of the areas battered in 1938 by a hurricane boasting cyclones with extremely high winds.

• William Lionel Gibbs lived in Stowe, Vermont, when the United States declared war on Japan just one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor that killed 2,400 Americans.

• William Lionel Gibbs served in the United States Army during World War II.

• William Lionel Gibbs served in the U.S. military during World War II.

Death

News Report

DEATH: 4 Jan 1945 (aged 24) Bertogne, Arrondissement de Bastogne, Luxembourg, Belgium

BURIAL: Riverbank Cemetery, Stowe, Lamoille County, Vermont, USA

Obituary

Military Rites For Pvt. William Gibbs Are Held In Stowe Stowe, May 27- the body of Pvt. William L. Gibbs who was killed in action in Belgium was met at the station in Waterbury Monday night by a detachment from the Donald McMahon Post American Legion, as it arrived from overseas for interment here. Pvt. Gibbs was born January 6, 1920, and was killed in action January 4, 1945. He was a member of the 17th Airborne Division and received his basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. He went overseas in August, 1944. He was the son of John and Lottie (Barrett) Gibbs, formerly of Stowe, now of Middlebury. He is survived by his widow Olive (Maxam) Gibbs of North Springfield, his parents and seven brothers and five sisters. The brothers are: John C. Gibbs, Jr., Springfield; Bernard M. Gibbs, Stowe; Pvt. David E. Gibbs, Fort Bragg, N.C.; James Gibbs, Norman Gibbs, Charles and Lynn B. Gibbs, All Of Middlebury. The sisters are: Mrs. Guy Shonio, Stowe; Mrs. William Morey, Morrisville; Mrs. Donald Bailey, West Dummerston; Mrs. Mary Cronin Of Portland, Me; Mrs. Robert Burridge Of Belmont, N.H.; Miss Lois Gibbs of Middlebury. The funeral was held at the Stowe Community Church Tuesday. The Rev. C. D. Newton officiated as chaplain; color bearer, John Hale; color guards, Roy Cook and Homer Clark. The firing squad members were Arthur Hunter, Wilfred Vannasse, Raymond Slayton, Jr., Warren Demerritt, Perry Nay, Norman Houston, Ray Shepard, Albert Latuch, and Leo Bartlett. Bearers were Maurice Laferriere, Milton Mandigo, Sears Raymond, Clifton Thompson, Bernarr Gibbs, Lynwood Austin, Clifton Russell was bugler and Phillip White was flag folder. Burial was at River Bank Cemetery where the military rites were held.

Books

1. The Sky Men: A Parachute Rifle Companys Story of the Battle of the Bulge and the Jump Across the Rhine by Kirk B. Ross (see chapter 5 regarding Gibbs)

Research Notes

• Frank Kinkus Jr. is mentioned in the book recording how he died also same time as Bill in an amazing show of valor.
• Any Family who has photos or anything they would like to share please help us in his research. Thank you

Sources

1. ↑ Bristol Herald Bristol, Vermont 23 Feb 1945, Fri • Page 1
2. ↑ Rutland Daily Herald Rutland, Vermont 21 Feb 1945, Wed • Page 2
3. ↑ Burlington Daily News Burlington, Vermont 21 Feb 1945, Wed • Page 1
4. ↑ https://www.fold3.com/image/670024032
5. ↑ https://www.fold3.com/image/310762477
6. ↑ New York State, Birth Index, 1881-1942
7. ↑ Canada, Border Crossings from U.S. to Canada, 1908-1935
8. ↑ Vermont, Marriage Records, 1909-2008
9. ↑ Vermont, Marriage Records, 1909-2008
10. ↑ ancestry.com., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, Lehi, UT, USA Ancestry.com, Operations, inc. 2011
11. ↑ The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment Roll of Honor
12. ↑ 1930 United States Census
13. ↑ Citing this Record "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XMZW-TXH : accessed 16 March 2019), James Gibbs in household of John Gibbs, Stowe, Lamoille, Vermont, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 14, sheet 6A, line 42, family 133, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2429; FHL microfilm 2,342,163.
14. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 17 January 2021), memorial page for Pvt William Lionel Gibbs (6 Jan 1920–4 Jan 1945), Find A Grave: Memorial #76432520, citing Riverbank Cemetery, Stowe, Lamoille County, Vermont, USA ; Maintained by Andrewguy (contributor 49371320) .