The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edward Marion Gibbens (AFSN: 0-696226), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as lead bombardier of squadron formations on heavy bombardment missions against the enemy. Lieutenant Gibbens led the formations in destroying vital enemy installations at Metz, France, 27 May 1944; Munster, Germany, 30 May 1944; and Lutzkendorf, Germany, 7 October 1944, despite smoke over target on one occasion and anti-aircraft fire on each mission. The outstanding devotion to duty and exceptional bombing ability displayed by Lieutenant Gibbens on these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
372d Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
307th Bombardment WingDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Korea)Action Date:
August 24, 1951 – September 4, 1953
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Captain Edward Marion Gibbens (AFSN: 0-696226), United States Air Force, for meritorious service to the United States from 24 August 1951 to 4 September 1953 while a Prisoner of War in North Korea, Although subject to extreme privation, meager rations, forced marches, incessant interrogations, brutal beatings, sadistic torture, long periods of solitary confinement and threatened execution, Captain Gibbens, by his indomitable courage and resolute resistance completely defeated any attempt of the North Koreans and Chinese Communists to obtain security information they desired. His exemplary conduct and unequivocal conviction that the forces of freedom would ultimately prevail over an enemy ruthlessly avowed to destroy the independence of mankind, encouraged and inspired other prisoners to resist the insidious demands of their captors. By his outstanding leadership, heroic self-sacrifice and ceaseless opposition to the North Koreans and Chinese Communists, Captain Gibbens has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Edward Marion Gibbens (AFSN: 0-696226), United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Korea.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Regiment:
3d Bombardment DivisionAction Date:
October 14, 1944
Headquarters, 3d Bombardment Division (H), General Orders No. 840 (October 17, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edward Marion Gibbens (AFSN: 0-696226), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Bombardier on many high altitude heavy bombardment missions against the enemy over Germany and German occupied Central Europe during a period ending 14 October 1944. Lieutenant Gibbens, by the expert use of his bombsight, contributed in a large measure to the destruction of many vital enemy military objectives. The determination and courage displayed by Lieutenant Gibbens during many hours of combat reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Edward Marion Gibbens (AFSN: 0-696226), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
372d Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
307th Bombardment WingDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Korea)Action Date:
August 24, 1951 – September 5, 1953
NARA Database: Repatriated Korean Conflict Prisoners of War, 7/5/1950 – 10/6/1954Captain Edward Marion Gibbens (AFSN: 0-696226), United States Air Force, was captured by communist forces after he was shot down over North Korea on 24 August 1951, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on 5 September 1953, during Operation Big Switch at the end of the war.