George Wareham Gibbs
Colonel, U.S. Army

George Wareham Gibbs was born in Cuba, the son of George Sabin and Ruth Annis Hobby Gibbs. His father was a Major General and Chief Officer of the U.S. Army Signal Corps from January 1928 until his retirement in June 1931. George had two brothers, Major General David P. Gibbs, U.S. Army and Rear Admiral Robert Henry Gibbs, U.S. Navy.

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, then-Lieutenant Colonel George Wareham Gibbs was serving as Commanding Officer, 7th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Division Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, First U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, LTC Gibbs’ unit was in action against German forces at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. LTC Gibbs landed with the assault waves on Omaha Beach and, despite heavy enemy artillery, mortar, machine gun and rifle fire, he moved several hundred yards up the beach to where his unit was to land. Upon locating a small breach in the heavy wire entanglements, he led an officer and a small group of men through the gap and across a mine field in a frontal assault against 2 German gun emplacements. LTC Gibbs entered the maze of underground tunnels and fortifications and led his fighting group in neutralizing the enemy. LTC Gibbs was among the first to reach the German-dominated ridge line and was highly instrumental in opening a way inland from the beach. LTC Gibbs’ courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin, Silver and 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Colonel George Wareham Gibbs (ASN: 0-18178), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 7th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Division Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs landed on D-Day with the assault waves. Despite heavy enemy artillery, mortar, machine gun and rifle fire, he immediately moved several hundred yards up the beach to where his unit was to land. Locating a small breach in the heavy wire entanglements, he led an officer and a small group of men through the gap and across a mine field in a frontal assault against two enemy gun emplacements. With complete disregard for his own safety, he entered the maze of underground tunnels and fortifications and led his desperately fighting group in the neutralization of the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs was among the first to reach the enemy dominated ridge line and was highly instrumental in opening a way inland from the beach. The personal bravery, fearlessness and aggressive leadership displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 42 (August 6, 1944)

Death and Burial

Colonel George Wareham Gibbs died on 7 February 1976 in Atlantis, FL. He is buried at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery in West Point, Orange County, NY, in Section XXXII, Row B, Site 37.

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