Paul Douglas Gibson was born 11 July 1926 to William Earl Gibson (1900 – 1974) and Virginia Hatchett Lester Gibson (1900 – 1959).
He was raised in Hebbardsville and worked for Henderson Creamегу before his induction to US Army in August 1944.
He was killed in action in Germany, 15 March 1945.
According to an officer of his company, they had captured a town and were withstanding an enemy tank-infantry counter attack. He was by the side of his 60 mm mortar when an artillery shell burst close by. He was instantly killed by fragments which struck him in the head and abdomen.
He was later buried in Fairmont Cemetery / Section B / Lot 684 / Grave 12.
Obituary:
PVT. PAUL DOUGLAS GIBSON, 18 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Gibson who are prominent farmers near Geneva, Kentucky, was killed in action in Germany, March 15, 1945. Apparently due to Douglas’ quick response to training he had been rapidly advanced to combat in a surprisingly brief time. He was inducted last August 16. Douglas was early selected for overseas duty for which he left January 6, 1945, and has been serving overseas in the American Third Army under the leadership ci Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.
It is highly probable that he met his untimely death in the vicinity of Cobleng or Mainz in the Ruhr, approximately 280 miles southwest of Berlin.
Pvt. Gibson attended school at Hebbardsville, Kentucky, and has been a member of the Hebbards-vilie Baptist church for about three years. Prior to his induction in August, 1944, he was employed at the Henderson Creamегу. Douglas has a multitude of tirads throughout the county who share with the immediate family the bereavement in the loss of his youthful life. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Gibson, Geneva, Ky., two sisters, Mrs. Garret Cum-mings, near Dixon, Ky., and Mrs. Ray Bryant, Hebbardsville, Ky.; seven brothers, Pfc. Arnold Gib-son, serving in the American First Army with Lt Gen. Hodges in Germany, about 150 miles north of where Douglas was killed; Harold, Calvin, Ernest Earl, Francis Lester, and Larry Allen, all of Geneva. Mrs. James M. Benton, Detroit, Mich., is the grandmother. He is also survived by seven nieces and nephews and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, mostly all of the county.
References:
The Gleaner • Sun, Apr 8, 1945
The Gleaner • Thu, May 10, 1945