Honoring Service: Veteran George B. Gibbons Jr., WWII
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George B. Gibbons was born in 1914 to Marion and George Gibbons in New Rochelle, New York. He and his family moved to Rye and lived at 10 Hilltop Place during his childhood. They were members of the Church of the Resurrection parish. George attended the Choate school in Wallingford, Connecticut for high school before venturing around the world on a freighter in the early 1930’s. He soon after entered the US Army, rising to First Lieutenant with the 25th Division, L Company.
Date of Birth: 4/5/1914
Died On: 1/16/2003
Street Address: 10 Hilltop Place
Service Number: unknown
Branch of Service: U.S. Army – CO. L 35th Regt. 25th Div.
Gibbons was part of the group that went to Guadalcanal in November 1942 to aid US Marines in the seizure of Kokumbona. By February 1943, American forces had successfully ended enemy resistance in the area.
George went on to serve in a garrison, after which he met Carolyn DuPont, of Wilmington, Delaware. She had been serving as a Nurse in the Army General Hospital, stationed in New Zealand. This is the country in which the two wed in, in April 1944.
Back on the battlefield, Gibbons was involved in decisive American victories in January 1945 at the Luzon Central Plain in the Philippines, in February 1945 at the Caraballo Mountains, and in May 1945 at Santa Fe. The division was finally relieved on June 30 of that same year.
Geroge returned to New York after the war had concluded and worked for his father’s business, George B. Gibbons and Co., a municipal bond house. He eventually became its CEO and ended up working there for about forty years. In his down time, Gibbons loved to sail, and would often travel long distances to places to race and cruise, such as South America and the Mediterranean Sea.
George Gibbons was a prominent participant in the Block Island and Vineyard Races for several years, and a member of several local yacht clubs. In 1967-68, he served as a Commodore at the American Yacht Club, where he implemented numerous maintenance and capital improvements, which left a lasting impact on AYC.
George is remembered for his abounding energy, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and generosity. “Captain Bligh” was a mentor and teacher to all generations throughout his life.
George Billings Gibbons, Jr. died suddenly on January 16, 2003. He was survived by his wife Carolyn and their six children: Marion, George III, Carolyn, Pauline, Robert, and Lois, along with a generous handful of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was 88. More on Gibbons.
