U.S.CAVALRY TO SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT
Written By Bill Dietzel USAF (Ret)
Americans who cherish our country's military heritage, these are familiar names: "Light horse Harry" Lee, George Armstrong Custer, "Jeb" Stuart, "Blackjack" Pershing, George S. Patton. Cavalrymen all, masters of mobile warfare, they with comrades wearing the crossed sabers of the Cavalry helped shape our destiny with their valor. Few segments of our society have contributed as much to enrich our military history, as have the United States Cavalry.
To remember
the Cavalrymen, to recognize what they have accomplished and still can do, is a
privilege we all can share. Fort Riley,
Kansas is the home of the Cavalry Soldier that dates back to the beginning days
of the cavalry.
Jess Gibbs,
Private, United States Cavalry, October 14, 1937, Born on October 19, 1920 in
the state of Kansas. Jess Gibbs father
signed a release which allowed his 16-year-old son to join the U.S. Cavalry.
With good-byes to Mom and Dad, He climbed a board the train and headed to Fort
Riley, Kansas for boot camp and thus embarking on a military careen that would
take him from the back of a horse with the United States Cavalry, into the
United States Air Force Supersonic age of aircraft.
Jess
Gibbs military career begun at Fort Riley, Kansas as a United States Cavalryman
soldier. Enlisted on October 14, 1937, Stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, Second
Cavalry Division, Battery C-3rd Field Artillery
Battalion. During his stay he mastered the art of horsemanship becoming a
Master Instructor at the famous
Pennington Cavalry School at Fort Riley. Instructed
new troops how to ride a horse while pulling a 1500lb cannon at a full run
across the prairie and sand dunes.
The
Fort Riley Cavalry Horsemanship School was recognized world wide for their
horsemanship. When not on duty Jess Gibbs showed horses at the Kansas City Royal
Horse Show and all major parades, Jess Gibbs played for the Fort Riley Polo team
and become a 10-point player.
Jess
Gibbs was discharged October 13, 1940 and after a night out on the town he
reenlisted the next day, October 14, 1940.
Jess Gibbs ability to lead and command
was soon recognized and he was promoted to Sergeant in 1941 the first 4
years of his service.
America's
entry into World War II in December 1941 witnessed an intensification of
training at the post. 1942 the Cavalry changed from horse to self-propelled tanks
and artillery. In 1942 the company went to Needles, California for desert
maneuvers before being shipped over the Africa.
1943
he was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant Jess Gibbs and continued
instructing battlefield conditions with tanks and artillery.
The officers and men who were trained under M/Sgt Jess Gibbs. went on to
participate in campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Europe and the Pacific.
United
States Army Headquarters send orders in 1943 to
M/Sgt Jess Gibbs for combat duty; he was shipped oversea with 18,000
other U.S. Army Soldiers, boarding the Queen Mary ocean liner, which had no
escort to cross the Atlantic Ocean. . Zig ziging to keep away from the German
Submarine landing at Glasgow, Scotland. 4 days later
M/Sgt
Jess Gibbs became First Sergeant of the 9th Armored Division
The American forces broke through the Ger man defenses and General George S. Patton, Jr. Third Army dashed across Europe and exploited German weaknesses with remarkable success in August 1944. During the 281 days of incessant and victorious combat, the Third Army advanced further in less time than any other army in history. The soldiers of the third army fought their way across 24 major rivers and innumerable lesser streams.
Liberated or
conquered more than 82,000 square miles of territory, including 1500 cities and
towns, and some 12,000 inhabited places. Prior to the termination of active
hostilities captured in battle 956,000 enemy soldiers and killed or wounded at
least 500,000 others. France, Belgium, Battle of the Bulge in Hamm, Luxembourg. Germany, Austria,
and Czechoslovakia bear witness to their exploits.
M/Sgt
Jess Gibbs, United States Army, October 15, 1945.
Full
Battle Honors Good Conduct with Silver Loop, Accommodation Medal Ribbon with
clasp. AFSA with 4 bronze oaks leafs clusters. Campaign, with 5 bronze oak leaf
clusters, European Service Medal, Battle of the Bulge, Battle for Luxembourg,
Legion of Valor, Korean Service, Korean
Victory Medal. Presidential Citation Ribbon. Asia / Pacific with two battle
stars. American Defense. 13 Marksmanship Medals and Ribbons. Expert Submachine
gun, pistol and rifle.
M/Sgt
Jess Gibbs re-enlisted in the Army Air Corps on November 29, 1945 and was
assigned to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for 30 days, and then transferred to
Marshall Field at Fort Riley, Kansas until 1947. First Sergeant of Recruiting
base unit of the Army Air Corps in Chicago, Ill. Duty 1947 until 1952.
Stationed
at Lawson Air Force Base in Washington State, March 1952 shipped out to Japan on
the USS General Black which took 30 days with floating around for three days
without a propeller. Seoul,
Korea M/Sgt Jess Gibbs was assigned as First Sergeant of 5th Air
Force Headquarters during the heart of the Korean War. He was responsible for
the all-military personal stationed in the Far East. After 2 years in Korea,
Jess Gibbs was assigned as First Sergeant at Pierce Field, Florida.
420Th AIR REFUELING SQUADRON
Tactical Air Command had
formed its first air-to air refueling squadron. It was activated as a “
Separate unit” at Alexandria; Louisiana with World War II famed B-29’s
converted to KB-29’s. After it was well established and trained it would be
deployed to Sculthorpe RAF, Station, England.
M/Sgt Jess Gibbs arrived at the 420th Air Refueling Squadron,
Alexandria, LA, and, after careful questioning. Colonel Bates "hired"
Gibbs as First Sergeant. The question of whether Gibbs met Colonel Bates'
requirements can be answered by the fact that Colonel Bates was the best man
when Gibbs later married a beautiful local girl; and now, some Fifity years
later, they are most loyal friends in retirement.
The future 420th Air Refueling Squadron Orderly Room was a dilapidated Quonset hut with springy floors running up and down hill, reminiscent the early war years. There were lots of people milling around but not a piece of equipment in sight. The KB-29 aircraft had not yet arrived and with so many people with problems we were simply overwhelmed. The 420th Air Refueling Squadron 10 KB-29’s and 350 military personnel were deployed on September 1955 to become the first Air Refueling squadron to be activated on the European continent
M/Sgt
Jess Gibbs assignment in 1954 as First Sergeant of the 420th Air
Refueling Squadron Alexandria, Louisiana, Sculthorpe, RAF Station, England. 1954
–1958. July 1955 married Sarah
Gibbs and they have been together for 45 years. 1958 assigned to 4th Weather
Wing Hamilton AFB, Transferred to 4th Weather Wing Headquarters,
Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jess Gibbs was the first Senior Master Sergeant to
be promoted in the United States Air Force. 22 years of service to his country,
retiring in Colorado Springs, Colorado, August 5, 1959.
Senior Master Sergeant Jess Gibbs. US CAVALRY, USA, USAAF, USAF (RET)
5411 Downing Street
Written By
William E Dietzel, (Ret) USAF S/MSGT
4877 E Norwich Ave
Fresno, California 93726
559-291-1239