World War II Honoree

George Leroy 'Roy' Gebbers

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pateros, Washington

Honored By

Lt. Col. Charles T. Borg, USA (Ret)

Relationship

Friend

ENLISTED IN ARMY FEBRUARY 1941 AT FORT MCDOWELL, CALIFORNIA. SHIPPED TO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS MARCH 1941 AS SEARCHLIGHT CREWMAN IN THE 60TH COAST ARTILLERY BATTALION ON CORREGIDOR. DURING THE JAPANESE INVASION, WAS PRESSED INTO SERVICE ON BATAAN PENINSULA AS AN INFANTRYMAN. SURVIVED THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND HELD CAPTIVE AT CABANATUAN. TRANSFERRED BY HELL SHIP TO HOTEN POW CAMP, MUKDEN, MANCHURIA, ARRIVING WITH FIRST CONTINGENT OF ALLIED POW IN NOVEMBER 1942. OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES CONTACT TEAM PARACHUTED INTO MUKDEN AUGUST 16, 1945 AND ARRANGED FOR RELEASE OF POW. HE WAS SENT BY RAIL TO DARIEN, MANCHURIA SEPTEMBER 11-12, 1945 AND SHIPPED TO OKINAWA ABOARD USS RELIEF. ARRIVED SEATTLE ON OCTOBER 20, 1945. DISCHARGED AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS MAY 11, 1946. AWARDS AND DECORATIONS INCLUDE THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH BRONZE STAR, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, PHILIPPINE DEFENSE RIBBON WITH BRONZE STAR, 7 OVERSEAS BARS, 1 SERVICE STRIPE AND THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS.