World War II Honoree

Gordon Waverly Gilkey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Linn County, Oregon

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

While serving, he wrote to President Roosevelt, requesting a unit be established to review military tactics to help minimize damage to art and architecture in Europe. President Roosevelt saw merit in the suggestion and directed General Eisenhower to award him command of that unit. When hostilities ceased, he was assigned to track down and confiscate Nazi propaganda art throughout the defeated Third Reich. For these and subsequent efforts, he was knighted by France and given similar honors by Italy, Germany and Sweden. The United States awarded him the Meritorious Service Medal.