World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Ernest M. Gibbons
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Columbia, South Carolina
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
SERVED AS A PRIVATE OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 41ST ARMORED INFANTRY REGIMENT, 2ND ARMORED 'HELL ON WHEELS' DIVISION. HIS REGIMENT PARTICIPATED IN THE ALGERIA-FRENCH MOROCCO, SICILY, NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, AND ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD DEVICE, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS UNIT. ALSO AUTHORIZED THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE FOR HIS REGIMENT BEING CITED TWICE IN THE ORDER OF THE DAY OF THE BELGIAN ARMY FOR ACTIONS IN BELGIUM AND AGAIN IN THE ARDENNES. DIED OF WOUNDS ON JANUARY 10, 1945 WHILE HIS REGIMENT WAS ENGAGED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS IN BELGIUM DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE.