Frederick W. Gibb

Major General Frederick William Gibb (July 24, 1908 – September 6, 1968) was a United States Army officer who served with distinction during World War II. Gibb served mostly with the 16th Infantry Regiment, part of the famous 1st Infantry Division (nicknamed "The Big Red One"), throughout most of the 1st Division's involvement in the conflict and took part in the Normandy landings. Continuing with his military career even after the war, his last assignment was as the commander of the 2nd Infantry Division ("Indianhead") at Fort Benning, Georgia, before retiring in 1961.

Early military career Frederick William Gibb was born on July 24, 1908, in New York City as a son of Frederick Innes Gibb and his wife Jessie Anna (néé Leake). Gibb subsequently attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and graduated in July 1933. He was then commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry at that time and assigned to the 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Francis E. Warren, Wyoming. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in June 1936.

He served with various infantry units until the summer of 1937, when he was ordered to the Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia for further training. Gibb completed the school in summer 1938 and was ordered to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for service with 65th Infantry Regiment, where he was promoted to the rank of captain.

Gibb was appointed commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry while in England and later led his battalion during the amphibious landing at Arzew during the night of November 8, 1942 (see Operation Torch). He later led his unit during the assault on Oran and took part in the battles of Kasserine Pass and El Guettar. Gibb distinguished himself and received two Bronze Star Medals.

The 1st Infantry Division later took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and Gibb participated in the heavy fighting against Germans. The 16th Infantry Regiment, together with the rest of the 1st Division, now commanded by Major General Clarence R. Huebner, sailed to Liverpool, England in October 1943 and Gibb was appointed lieutenant colonel and 1st Division Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 (Operations and Plans). He was also decorated with Legion of Merit for his service in Africa and Sicily.

Gibb landed in Normandy at the beginning of June 1944 and received his second Legion of Merit for his part in the Battle of Normandy. He was relieved by Lieutenant Colonel Clarence E. Beck and subsequently succeeded Colonel George A. Taylor, who was promoted to assistant division commander (ADC) of the 1st Division, as commanding officer of the 16th Infantry Regiment and led his regiment during the battles of Hürtgen Forest, the Bulge and Remagen. He received the Silver Star for his service with the 16th Infantry Regiment in France, Belgium and Germany and also was decorated by the Governments of France and Belgium.