PFC Benton L. Gibson

Today, we honor and remember PFC Benton L. Gibson of the 101st Airborne Division.

Source: FindaGrave (c/o Jaap Vermeer)

Private First Class (PFC) Benton Lee Gibson of Charlie Battery, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB), was born in Milroy, Braxton County, West Virginia, to Frenchman M. and Trecie (Rodgers) Gibson on July 26, 1918. Benton was their firstborn child. He also had eight brothers and one sister.

Many of his brothers also served in the military. Pratt fought with Item Company of the 133rd Infantry Regiment. Dana served as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army. Forest served as a corporal in both World War II and the Korean War. Ralph served as a specialist with the 75th Ordnance Company, and Amos served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

The Gibsons truly understood what it meant to serve their country. I have the highest respect for their unwavering commitment and sacrifice.

Benton married Edith (Cox) Gibson at Covington, Kentucky, on March 7, 1942, and their marriage was blessed with a little boy, named William Lee, born in the spring of 1944.

PFC Benton Gibson entered the service in Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio, on August 23, 1940, and was assigned to the 377th PFAB.

PFC Gibson jumped into Normandy, and among all the units of the 101st Airborne Division, the 377th PFAB likely endured the most misfortune during the D-Day drop. Their sticks were scattered across the Normandy Peninsula, far from intended drop zones. Some men were captured by German forces, while others evaded capture and made their way back to Allied lines. Tragically, many were killed in action during the first two or three days of the invasion. Others succumbed to their wounds in field hospitals days later.

According to available records, PFC Benton Gibson was initially reported as missing in action. He was later officially declared dead on July 13, 1944. Notably, by that date, the 101st Airborne Division was already en route back to England, which suggests that July 13 may mark the date his body was recovered by the Graves Registration Service rather than the date he fell. The exact circumstances of his death remain a mystery. What is certain, however, is that PFC Gibson gave his life in the effort to liberate Normandy. His sacrifice, like that of so many others, will never be forgotten.

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

PFC Benton Gibson died at the age of 25. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal. After his initial burial in the temporary military cemetery of Blosville, he was reburied at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, at Plot E, Row 5, Grave 44.

At the end of 2024, a remarkable story made the local headlines in Normandy!

A French lady living in Baupte donated one of the two original dog tags of Benton Gibson to the Airborne Museum of Sainte-Mère-Eglise. She had found it in the house of her sister in Crasville, which is almost 12 miles (19 KM) to the north of drop zone A at Saint-Martin-de-Varreville, where PFC Gibson was supposed to have landed. The house had belonged to someone passionate about World War II. Where he found the dog tag is not known, but it at least gives an idea of what area Benton Gibson sacrificed himself for their liberation. May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Gibson.

Lest we forget. 🇺🇸