World War II Honoree

William G. Gibson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Wilmington, Delaware

Honored By

Mrs. Carol Gibson Illingworth

Relationship

Daughter

HE JOINED THE NAVY IN 1940 AND WAS STATIONED ON THE BATTLESHIP USS WEST VIRGINIA WHEN IT WAS SUNK AT PEARL HARBOR ON 12/7/41. HE ESCAPED UNHURT AND VOLUNTEERED FOR DUTY ON THE CARRIER USS LEXINGTON. IN MAY 1942, THE LEXINGTON WAS SUNK IN THE CORAL SEA WITH GIBSON AGAIN UNHURT. HE USED TO SAY THAT THE NAVY WOULDN'T RISK ANY MORE OF THEIR SHIPS, SO HE SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE WAR ON SHORE AT GUADALCANAL, THE FIJI ISLANDS AND AS A GUNNERY SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA.