World War II Honoree

Lawrence Gibbs, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Festus, Missouri

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Electrician's Mate 3rd Class. Served as an Electrician on the USS Canopus AS-9 Submarine Tender, assigned to Submarine Squadron-20, located at the Cavite Navy Yard in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands. Her crew sank the Submarine Tender, which was severely damaged by enemy Aircraft, April 9, 1942, in the Invasion of the Philippine Islands (Battle Dates: December 8, 1941-May 6, 1942) by the Japanese Imperial Forces. After escaping to the Island of Corregidor ‘The Rock’, he linked up with the Fourth Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment, where he participated in the Battle of Corregidor (Battle Dates: May 5-6, 1942). The Japanese Imperial forces captured him on the second day of the invasion when General Wainwright, Commander of allied forces capitulated to the enemy. His captors transferred him to the mainland after his detainment of two weeks on Corregidor, and held in captivity at Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan Nueva Province, Luzon. On Sunday, October 11, 1942, he died of unknown causes during his captivity of 5 months at the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan Nueva Province, Luzon. He and three other prisoners were buried in a common grave in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Manila #2 Philippine Islands. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the four prisoners were reinterred February 16, 1950 in a group burial at the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky. This Seaman, an American Patriot so gallantly gave his live for his country.