Gilbert Williams

(from the article printed January 19, 2005)

He had met the love of his life, Ruth Cox from Mexia.  She was a classmate and friend of Gilbert's best friend, Grady Wise. They both also attended Sam Houston College.

Gilbert settled down with his education, especially in the woodworking & industrial art classes, finding his calling, making A's and planning a future with Ruth.  Life was wonderful until some episodes happened to change his life completely.

Gilbert, still making thirty cents an hour at his college maintenance job, confronted the maintenance manager, was fired.  He being fired and without money, had to drop out of school at mid-semester.  This was a terrible time and the worse part was that his and Ruth's togetherness was changing drastically.

Gilbert left the campus, never to return as a student.  He eventually completed the elective courses and semester hours that were required and received his BS Degree.

Having obtained a public job at Reed Roller Bit Company in Houston, Gilbert was doing well.  He and Ruth were still talking marriage, yet another big change was coming in their lives.

Hitler's ambition to conquer Europe and America being drawn in to the war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Gilbert was drafted as a foot soldier in the Army.  He felt he was doomed and was determined to explore every way to get into the Air Corp.  Passing all qualifications, he became an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corp in 1942.  He was assigned to Ellington Field for his basic training.  He was excited about it yet he missed Ruth.  They only corresponded by letters.  Both were very happy when Gilbert got a weekend pass.  He drove as fast as he could in his 1939 Chevy Coupe to Colmesneil, TX.  This is where Ruth was teaching school.

After graduating from college, Gilbert knew he would be actively involved in the flight missions of the Air Corp.  He and Ruth had a major decision to make.  They wanting to be together, made plans of getting married on Gilbert's next weekend pass.  With help from Ruth's sister Sybil, her husband and parents, Gilbert and Ruth were married at the South End Christian Church in Houston.  It was an informal wartime wedding.  There was no time for togetherness.  They only ha a short time to be together before he had to be back at Ellington Field and Ruth had to be back to Colmesneil.  It was more than three months before they could see each other again.

(from the article printed January 26, 2005)

After college he was an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corp, being sent overseas.  He was with the Charlie 440^thGroup.  They were sent the northern route to "Little Pie England", wartime code name for Norwich, England.  Only Gilbert's crew, with pilot Popovic and another crew with Buchanan as pilot of the 440^th squadron, survived this mission.

Gilbert, after receiving recognition for his navigation skills, went on the mission to Stornaway, Scotland.  His crew almost crashed due to a cold front.  Pilot Popovic struggled to stay in control of the plane.  Finally after three tries, he brought the plane to safety after plunging close to the ground.  They all gave God the glory for saving their lives.

Their next mission was on the African Coast, at Casablanca.  Gilbert's crew had problems again and once again they survived.  They went on to Rabat Sale, in the Arab Country.  Their living quarters were in pyramid tents.  This mission mainly consisted of the 319^th squadron, yet Gilbert's 440^th squadron was vital in fighting the Germans.

With the Germans blazing away at them, Gilbert entered the Bombay. removed the safety pins from the bombs, and the gunners doing their part, their B-26 accomplished another win.  God again saved them.  The German attack penetrated the Plexigals nose cone, came through the nose, broke the glass covering the bomb sight eyepiece and fractured Gilbert's little finger.

Gilbert participated in forty bombing missions and each one encountered some hair-raising moments.  The toll in the lives and planes was heavy.  The 440^th squadron itself lost 93 men, 37 officers and 56 EM.

In 1943, Gilbert finished his career as a navigator and bombardier. Lieutenant Gilbert Williams caught a C-47nflight out of Decimomanne, on his way home.  After a nine day boat trip, having seasickness and long delays of assignment orders.  Gilbert was ordered to Santa Monica, CA.  He finally headed to Mexia as fast as he could to be with Ruth and to be introduced to his baby daughter Carol.

This was a blissful time.  They had 22 days together before Gilbert had to report to California.  After visiting with both families, Gilbert, Ruth and Carol made the trip to California.  At this time of their military life they were shuffled to Midland and Big Springs.  Gilbert soon made Captain and was a leader of the AAF Cadet Flying Squadron and their family life was complete.

They were active members of the First Christian Church in Big Spring.  Ruth was Sunday School teacher and they were associated with church involvement programs.  Gilbert enrolled in a military schooling correspondence school, the Armed Forces Institute in Madison Wisconsin.  This was Gilbert's chance to seize his degree in teaching, art, and theater fields.

In 1945, Gilbert's departure in the Army, Air Force was a memorable time.  He was proud that he, Ruth and Carol could have a new life together.

Gilbert was an honorable hero, being an outstanding courageous Air Force Cadet, flew forty combat missions, 187 hours of combat missions, and a total of 638 hours flying time.  He was a lieutenant, captain, navigator, only receiving minor injuries.  He felt God's blessings.  Our Flo, Leon County people claim Gilbert as our hero, who as a brave courageous soldier, served with honor for our freedom of our blessed America.