Name George Gibbs | Commands held Signal Corps | |
 | ||
Born December 14, 1875Harlan, Iowa ( 1875-12-14 ) Allegiance United States of America Died January 8, 1947, Florida, United States Awards | ||
George Sabin Gibbs (1875-1942) was an American brigadier general during World War I. He later was promoted to major general and served as Chief Signal Officer for the Signal Corps.
Contents
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.
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.
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 and as chief Army signal officer of the Cuban Pacification.
Later military career
During World War I, Gibbs was the assistant Chief Signal Officer of the American Expeditionary Forces. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his participation in the Aisne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne offenses.
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.
Promoted to Major General, Gibbs became Chief Signal Officer on 19 January 1928. He held this position until his retirement on 30 June 1931.
Civilian career
After retirement, Gibbs was Vice President of the International Telephone and Telegraph Company and in October 1931 President of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company. Later, in 1934, he served as Vice Chairman of the board and a director of the Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation.
Death and legacy
Gibbs died on 9 January 1947 at Coral Gables, Florida. He was buried with full military honors in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery.
Gibbs' papers are at the Library of Congress.