"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and
beyond the call of duty. On January 28, 1944, near Isolabella, Italy,
Tech. 5th Grade Gibson, company cook, led a squad of replacements
through their initial baptism of fire,
destroyed four enemy positions, killed 5 and captured 2 German
soldiers, and secured the left flank of his company during an attack on a
strong point. Placing himself 50 yards in front of his new men, Gibson
advanced down the wide stream ditch known as the Fosso Femminamorta,
keeping pace with the advance of his company. An enemy soldier allowed
Tech. 5th Grade Gibson to come within 20 yards of his concealed position
and then opened fire on him with a machine pistol. Despite the stream of automatic fire which barely missed him, Gibson charged the position, firing his submachine gun
every few steps. Reaching the position, Gibson fired pointblank at his
opponent, killing him. An artillery concentration fell in and around the
ditch; the concussion from one shell knocked him flat. As he got to his
feet Gibson was fired on by two soldiers armed with a machine pistol
and a rifle from a position only 75 yards distant. Gibson immediately
raced toward the foe. Halfway to the position a machinegun opened fire
on him. Bullets came within inches of his body, yet Gibson never paused
in his forward movement. He killed one and captured the other soldier.
Shortly after, when he was fired upon by a heavy machinegun 200 yards
down the ditch, Gibson crawled back to his squad and ordered it to lay
down a base of fire while he flanked the emplacement. Despite all
warning, Gibson crawled 125 yards through an artillery concentration and
the cross fire of 2 machine guns which showered dirt over his body,
threw 2 hand grenades
into the emplacement and charged it with his submachine gun, killing 2
of the enemy and capturing a third. Before leading his men around a bend
in the stream ditch, Gibson went forward alone to reconnoiter. Hearing
an exchange of machine pistol and submachine gun fire, Gibson's squad
went forward to find that its leader had run 35 yards toward an outpost,
killed the machine pistol man, and had himself been killed while firing
at the Germans."
From Sp5 Gibson's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on September 11, 1944.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
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