Harold Lee Gibson

"When Pfc. Gibson's aircraft became the target of intense enemy ground fire, he immediatly returned the fire, courageously defending his aircraft with his door-mounted machine gun. After he succeeded in silencing the Viet Cong weapon that was also placing fire on friendly ground elements, Pfc. Gibson's aircraft again came under intense hositle fire from another well positioned enemy weapon. He immediately engaged the enemy with devastating fire and, during the furious duel that ensued between himself and the enemy gunner, Pfc. Gibson was mortally wounded.

"The lives of his fellow crew-members rested in a large part on his final heroic moments. Pfc. Gibson's personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army." --Margaret Simpson, Casper Star-Tribune, 3/21/1968

Pfc. Gibson, my uncle, was posthumously awarded five medals received by my grandparents, William and Eula Gibson. The medals are: the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart from the U.S. Army and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Vietnamese Merit Medal.

From his niece,
Teresa A. (Gibson-Hegge) Dodd
tdodd@rangeweb.net