Page 5 - DFCS News Magazine Winter 2015

Cont’d Last Man Standing
Volume 15, Issue 3 - Winter
His parents and other relatives back home in Montgomery worried about him, of course, but the pride they had for him was evident in their letters to him.
He grew up the son of a clothier who had a popular store at One Court Square at the bot- tom of Dexter Avenue. He did what he could to help his dad at the store, but he had no inten- tion of making suits and ties his career. After finishing at Sidney Lanier High School, he got a degree in industrial management at Georgia Tech.
Patriotism has always guided him through life and he became a "Pearl Harbor Avenger," join- ing thousands of other young Americans who reported to recruiting stations on December 8, 1941 - one day after World War II began for the U.S.
He opted for aviation, not the infantry, and still thinks about the differences today. His decision may well have saved his life.
"There I was, flying fairly safe and when I land- ed I'd get a candy bar, a drink of whisky and sleep in a nice tent while those on the ground were getting shot and killed and living in horri- ble conditions. I've thought about that all my life."
He was just as vulnerable, but thousands of feet above the infantry as he dive-bombed and strafed enemy ground installation and escorted American bombers to their targets — all the while mindful of possible dogfights in his vicini- ty.
As he grew up, Gibian was mechanically inclined and liked to build things. During his business career as presi- dent of American Candy Co., his collection of antique cars was well-known throughout Selma and surrounding communities.
When military programs are held at Memorial Stadium in Selma, he's always been a regular attendee, sitting next to his friends and fellow World War II veterans.
Age has hampered some of that activity, and he needs a walker to get around. In recent weeks, he has been stay- ing at an assisted living facility in Selma. His wife, Betty Rose, died three years ago. They were married for 66 years.
As we celebrated Independence Day and the birth of our nation, Richard Gibian looks back with pride at his ser- vice during World War II.
He can still see himself at the controls of his P-47, zoom- ing toward enemy targets that were trying to knock him out of the sky.
Don't expect him to take a swig of that French brandy, but he'll be happy to hold the bottle high in a dry toast to men whose memories remain strong as the day he got his wings.
As for his sterling military record and recognition by the French government, Gibian appreciates it, but says oth- ers were just as willing to make the supreme sacrifice if it came to that.
"I'm not a hero," he said. "I was one of millions who served during World War II. I just did what I was taught to do."
The Society has received notification that Richard Gibian passed away on September 4, 2015. He was truly a hero of the Greatest Generation and has now joined his wing mates in the 9th Air Force's 411th Fighter Squadron.
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