Lt. Col. J. Weldon Gibbs of Rosebud, Leads

Daring Raid

Lt. Col. Gibbs, Commanding and Captain Jack M. Tarver, Executive Officer, Both of Rosebud, in Same Outfit That Frees 2146 Civilian Internees of Japs.

Last Friday's early morning attack by American forces on the last known Japanese prison camp on the Luzon Island in the Philippines was led by Lieutenant Colonel J. Weldon Gibbs, a native of Falls county and son of Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Gibbs, 208 Foster street, Marlin.

In one of the most exciting rescue operations of the Pacific war, 1500 soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division, plus Gibbs' Amtrak unit, plus about 200 guerrillas stabbed 70 miles from Manila, through territory held by 8,000 Japanese troops to bring to safety the 1589 Americans, 329 Britons, 56 Canadians, 89 Hollanders, 22 Poles, 10 Norwegians, 16 Italians, one Frenchman and a Nicaraguan held at Los Banos prison camp.

American casualties in the sensational operation totaled two soldiers killed, two wounded and two internees slightly injured. Eleven U. S. Navy nurses were among those liberated, and William Heath Donald, legendary aide to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, was another.

It was two hours before dawn Friday on Luzon Island that Col. Gibbs loaded his amtracks with picked troops of the 11th Airborne Division and started across Lagunade bay southwest of Manila toward Los Banos with his 672nd amphibious tractor battalion, which he has always claimed to be the best outfit in the army. Col. Gibbs had a rendezvous across that choppy water—he had to deliver his cargoes of crack infantrymen through the beach, jungle and hills on the far side at a given minute so they could attack the Los Banos camp garrison at the same time that Filipino guerrillas closed in from the jungle and paratroopers dropped from the skies.

The amphibious force, the jungle-wise Filipinos and the green-clad paratroopers fell on the Japs at the prison camp in a dramatic surprise attack. The Nipponese, including their commanding officer, his staff and 243 guards, were out in the dawn's early light doing their setting-up exercises when the liberators struck. Working with clockwise precision, Gibbs and his amtracks loaded up and ferried out civilians and soldiers. Except for sporadic sniper fire, which was silenced quickly, the strange and wonderful caravan met no opposition.

Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Gibbs here in Marlin stated, "We are mighty proud of what Weldon and all of our sons are doing in service. "They related that Weldon was born on a farm west of Rosebud, January 24, 1909. He finished Rosebud High School in 1928, graduated from Texas A. & M. College in 1932 and did soil conservation work as an engineer in the vicinity of Corsicana, Kaufman and Terrell. He kept his reserve commission and entered the army as a Captain in 1941 and was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was one of the first of 50 officers sent to Camp Hood to plan in the layout of that camp.

He received his Lieutenant Colonel commission while at Camp Hood. During the time at Camp Hood he did adjutant work, and later in line command. In April 1944, he took command of the 672nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, leaving Camp Hood with the outfit for Fort Ord, California, for combat training and then overseas on September 15th, as part of the 37th division. He has seen considerable fighting in the Philippines.

His wife was formerly Miss Bess Allen Donaldson, daughter of Mrs. E. A. Donaldson of Rosebud. Her father was the late E. A. Donaldson, banker, mayor and civic leader in Rosebud, Texas. Mrs. Gibbs lives in Rosebud with her two children, Annyce 7, and Joseph Allen 2.

Col. Gibbs was not without other Falls county companionship in the daring raid, as his executive officer is Captain Jack M. Tarver, also of Rosebud who has been in his organization starting at Camp Hood. He is the son of John Albert Tarver Sr. of Rosebud and prominently known throughout this section. John Albert Tarver Jr. is also an officer at Camp Hood. Captain Tarver's wife lives in Rosebud was formerly Miss Frances Wheelis of Waco, they have two children, Grace and McLane.

R. K. Gibbs of Marlin, father of Colonel Gibbs stated that all three of their sons are in service. Ensign Clifford Gibbs went into active Navy service in August, 1944, and is now in the Pacific. He has written his parents that at times he has been as close as 8 miles to his brother, Colonel Gibbs, has even seen some of his equipment, but did not have an opportunity to see him personally. His navy activities included the handling on men to the Luzon Island.

Sgt. Woodrow Gibbs, another son, went into U. S. Army service in February, 1943, in anti-aircraft coast artillery. He was among those who landed on the Normandy beach on D-Day and is now living in foxholes somewhere in Germany. Mr. Gibbs took over his son Woodrow's duties here in Marlin as manager of the Humble service station when Woodrow left for service.