George Sabin Gibbs

George Sabin Gibbs (December 14, 1875 – January 7, 1947) was a United States Army officer. After serving as a brigadier general during World War I, he was promoted to major general and served as Chief Signal Officer for the Signal Corps.

Chief Signal Officer, U.S. Army

George Sabin Gibbs
Born(1875-12-14)December 14, 1875
Harlan, Iowa
DiedJanuary 7, 1947(1947-01-07) (aged 71)
Coral Gables, Florida
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Major General
Service number0-746
Commands heldU.S. Signal Corps
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
Philippine Insurrection
World War I
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Legion of Honour
Order of St Michael and St George
Order of the Crown (Belgium)
Order of the Crown of Italy
Spouse(s)Ruth Hobby[1]
Children5[1]

Early life

Gibbs was born in Harlan, Iowa, in 1875. He graduated from Harlan High School in 1892, from the State University of Iowa in 1897, and by 1901 had earned a master's degree in engineering.[1]

Early military career

In 1898, Gibbs enlisted in the Iowa Volunteer Infantry as a private. During the Spanish–American War and Philippine Insurrection, Gibbs served in the volunteer forces, mainly on Signal Corps duty, in ranks from private to first lieutenant. While a sergeant, Gibbs was cited for gallantry in action against the Spanish forces at Manila.[1]

After being commissioned a first lieutenant in the Signal Corps, Regular Army, Gibbs' various duties included numerous surveys and construction of telegraph lines in Alaska[2] and as chief Army signal officer of the Cuban Pacification.[3]

Later military career

During World War I, Gibbs was the assistant Chief Signal Officer of the American Expeditionary Forces.[1][3] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his participation in the Aisne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne offenses. He also received several foreign awards,[1] including the Legion of Honour, Order of St Michael and St George, Order of the Crown of Belgium, and the Order of the Crown of Italy.[3]

His post World War I assignments included duty on the War Department General Staff and Executive Officer to the Assistant Secretary of War. In 1924, he supervised the completion of the new Washington–Alaska cable.[3]

Promoted to Major General, Gibbs became Chief Signal Officer on January 19, 1928.[4] He held this position until his retirement on June 30, 1931.[1]

Civilian career

After retirement, Gibbs was Vice President of the International Telephone and Telegraph Company[5] and in October 1931 President of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company.[6] Later, in 1934, he served as Vice Chairman of the board and a director of the Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation.[3]

Death and legacy

Gibbs died on January 7, 1947 at Coral Gables, Florida. He was buried with full military honors in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery.[1] His son David Parker Gibbs was a career army officer who attained the rank of major general and also served as head of the signal corps.[1]

Gibbs' papers are at the Library of Congress.[7]

References
  1. Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. pp. 142–143. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151.
  2. Gibbs, George S (February 1906). "Transportation Methods in Alaska". National Geographic. XVII (2).
  3. Marquis Who's Who 1975, p. 200.
  4. "Former "Buck Private" Wins His Star". Oelwin Daily Register. March 20, 1928.
  5. "Business: Personnel: Jul. 13, 1931". Time Magazine. July 13, 1931.
  6. "Business: Personnel: Oct. 26, 1931". Time Magazine. October 26, 1931.
  7. Kerwin, Patrick. "George Sabin Gibbs Papers" (PDF).

Bibliography
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