News Summary
The remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Clarence E. Gibbs have been identified after 81 years. Gibbs went missing in action during WWII and will be laid to rest in Clinton, SC. His identification coincides with the anniversary of D-Day, honoring his legacy as a dedicated airman who served bravely.
Charlotte, North Carolina – The remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Clarence E. Gibbs, a 21-year-old airman from Charlotte, have been identified 81 years after his death during World War II. Gibbs was declared missing in action following a bombing mission over Germany in December 1944. His identification was announced recently, aligning with the anniversary of D-Day, a significant date that marks the beginning of the Allied invasion of Europe.
The identification process involved a recovery of remains from a German cemetery, which were confirmed through a combination of DNA analysis and dental records. Gibbs will be laid to rest in Clinton, South Carolina, at a date yet to be announced.
Gibbs was part of the 368th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group, 1st Bombardment Division, 8th Air Force towards the end of 1944. His assignments included operating as the top turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-17G “Flying Fortress” bomber. During his service, he was awarded the Air Medal for “exceptionally meritorious achievement,” highlighting his skills in both protecting the aircraft and ensuring its mechanical efficiency during combat missions.
Details Surrounding the Disappearance
On December 31, 1944, while on a mission targeting Bingen, Germany, Gibbs’ aircraft encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire. All nine crew members managed to bail out; however, only one airman was found deceased by German forces at the crash site. Five others were taken prisoner of war, while Gibbs and two additional crew members were unaccounted for, with no records confirming their status as prisoners.
The search for Gibbs began in 1946 when the American Graves Registration Command initiated an investigation, but it yielded no results at that time. By 1950, investigators recommended that Gibbs be declared non-recoverable, a classification that persisted for decades.
Advancements and Investigations
In the years that followed, significant advances in technology led to renewed interest and investigation into the fates of missing service members. In 2013, researchers uncovered documents that detailed encounters involving three airmen, including Gibbs, who had bailed from their aircraft only to face deadly encounters with SS troops in the region of Kamp-Bornhofen in western Germany.
The U.S. Department of Defense initiated a targeted excavation of a suspected burial site in May 2021. This excavation resulted in the discovery of human remains, which were later subjected to multiple analyses, including dental examinations and DNA testing. These analyses produced a conclusive link that connected the remains to Clarence E. Gibbs.
Commemoration and Legacy
A fitting tribute to Gibbs’ service will be marked by the placement of a rosette next to his name at the Walls of the Missing located at Lorraine American Cemetery in France. This site memorializes the sacrifices made by countless Americans during the war, ensuring that their stories are not forgotten.
As the nation reflects on the contributions and sacrifices of service members during World War II, Gibbs’ identification brings both closure to his family and honor to the memory of a dedicated airman who served his country bravely.
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Additional Resources
- WSOCTV: Charlotte WWII Airman Accounted Nearly 80 Years Later
- Wikipedia: World War II
- Charlotte Observer: Local News Article
- Google Search: World War II Missing Airmen
- WSOCTV: News Staff
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Air Force Hero
- Legacy: Clarence Beasley Obituary
- Google News: WWII Airmen Identification
