P. F. C. Nolan Gilbert in Ireland
P. F. C. Nolan M. Gilbert, son of Mrs. Minnie Gilbert, 321 Delaware avenue northeast, is in Ireland with the A. E. F., he notified her in a letter. The local man said that the Irish are very kindly toward the Yankees. Gilbert left Mason City in 1941 with the national guards.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Wednesday, August 24, 1942, Page 7
Made Sergeant With Rangers
Nolan Gilbert, who left company F in northern Ireland and joined the rangers, American version of the commandos, in June, has been promoted to the rank of sergeant, he informed his mother, Mrs. Minnie Gilbert, 121 ½ North Federal avenue. He is stationed in Scotland, where he is quartered in a castle. He is learning commando tactics from the British. All men who join the rangers do so voluntarily.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Saturday, October 29, 1942, Page 8
MEETS BROTHER
Nolan M. Gilbert, now a staff sergeant in the Rangers, and his brother, Buell L. Gilbert, a technician 3rd grade in the ordnance division of the army, met in north Africa, recently according to word received by their mother, Mrs. Minnie Gilbert, 22 Adams avenue southwest. Since then Nolan Gilbert has participated in the invasion of Sicily, where, he says the civilians are a lot worse off than they are in Africa.
He has been overseas for 18 months. His brother, Burell Gilbert, has been on foreign duty for 9 months. The ranger has been in Scotland, Ireland, England, Africa and now, Sicily.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Tuesday, August 24, 1943, Page 3
1st Sgt. Nolan M. Gilbert
Killed in Action in Italy
Mother Gets Telegram From
Adjutant General Telling of Death Nov. 4
Mrs. Minnie Gilbert, 404 West State, received a telegram Wednesday signed by the adjutant general in Washington D. C., stating that her son, 1st Sgt. Nolan M. Gilbert, was killed in action in [Cassino] Italy on Nov. 4.
The message read: “The secretary of war desires that I tender his deep sympathy to you in the loss of your son, 1st Sgt. Nolan M. Gilbert. Report received states that he was killed in action on Nov. 4 in Italy. Letter follows.”
Latest word received by his mother told of his having been sightseeing in Italy in October. He mentioned Mt. Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri. He had been overseas 21 months and had participated in 5 invasions of islands and countries.
As far as is known, Sergeant Gilbert was the only Mason Cityan in the ranger service. It was while in Ireland in the summer of 1942, that he transferred to the American rangers, being organized in Scotland at that time.
Sergeant Gilbert was the youngest son of Mrs. Gilbert and at 9 years of age moved with his mother and 1 brother to Mason City. He made his home here until he enlisted with the National Guard here in February, 1941.
Later he went to Camp Claiborne, La., where he was with Co. F, 34th division. On Christmas eve, 1941, he left for Camp Dix, N. J., and on Feb. 7, 1942, was sent to Ireland. After joining with the rangers there he was sent with the 1st ranger battalion to north Africa and took part in the invasion there. He participated in the Tunisian campaign and was sent to Sicily and the islands of Corsica and Sardinia.
Surviving besides his mother is a brother, Tech. Sgt. Buell L. Gilbert, not in north Africa.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Wednesday, December 08, 1943, Page 11 (photo included)
First Sgt. Nolan M. Gilbert
Is Awarded Posthumously
Mother Receives Purple Heart
for Son Who Died in Italy on Nov. 4
Mrs. Minnie Gilbert, 22 Adams S W., has received the Purple Heart award for her son, First Sgt. Nolan M. Gilbert, who died of wounds on Nov. 4, received in action in Italy. The citation accompanying the medal and signed by Henry L. Stimson, secretary of war, reads:
“This is to certify that the President of the United States of America pursuant to authority vested in him by Congress has awarded the Purple Heart, established by Gen. George Washington at Newburgh, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1782, to First Sgt. Nolan M. Gilbert, for military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death Nov. 1943.”
Sgt. Gilbert left Mason City with the National Guard in 1941. In 1942 he transferred to the rangers. He participated in the invasion of Sicily.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Monday, January 17, 1944, Page 11
Memorial Services Sunday for
Nolan Gilbert, First Sgt.
Was Killed in Action
in Italy on Nov. 4;
in Service 3 Years
Memorial services for First Sgt. Nolan M. Gilbert, son of Mrs. Minnie Gilbert, 404 West State, killed in action in Italy on Nov. 4, will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the First Baptist church with the Rev. E. R. Dugger as speaker.
Members of the Clausen-Worden post of the American Legion are assisting in making arrangements for the service, according to Mrs. Gilbert.
Sunday will be 3 years from the date that Sergeant Nolan enlisted with the national guard here. In 1942 he was transferred to the rangers in Iceland where he was then stationed. He had taken part in the Sicilian invasion and was on the Italian front at the time he was killed.
Surviving besides his mother is a brother, Tech. Sgt. Buell L. Gilbert, overseas since Dec., 1942, and now stationed somewhere in Africa.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Wednesday, February 09, 1944, Page 8
In Memoriam
IN MEMORY OF FIRST SGT. NOLAN M. GILBERT
There is some one who misses you sadly,
And finds the time long since you went.
There is some one who thinks of you always,
And tries to be brave and content.
Gone is the face we love so dear,
Silent the voice we love to hear.
‘Tis sad but true, we wonder why
The best are always first to die.
Tech. Sgt. and Mrs. Buell L. Gilbert
Mrs. Minnie Gilbert
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Saturday, November 04, 1944, Page 15
In Presentation of Tokens
At Memorial Service
Pictured here are the next of kin of servicemen honored at the 9th joint public memorial service held at Music hall Sunday afternoon. They were present to receive the U. S. burial flags and Gold Star citation scrolls presented by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Rev. Paul Peterson of the Wesley Methodist church gave the eulogy.
Lt. Col. Arthur T. Lobdell of the 7th service command was in attendance to present the bronze star medal to Mrs. John J. Vician, a posthumous award for her husband, Capt. Vician.
Left to right are: Mrs. Viola Cox, wife of Warren H. Cox; Mrs. Frances Amos, wife of J. B. Amos, with children John and Judy; Miss Marjorie Horrman, sister of Richard Horrman; Mrs. Vician and Judy; Lt. Col. Arthur T. Lobdell; Mrs. Elizabeth Polacek, mother of Capt. Vician; Mrs. August Horrman and Mr. Horrman, parents of Richard; and Mrs. Gilbert, mother of Nolan M. Gilbert.
Not pictured, but present to receive the flag was Mrs. Madeline Bracklein, mother of William C. Bracklein.
Mr. Peterson centered his talk around 2 lines of verse from Emerson:
“’Tis man’s perdition to be safe
When for the truth he ought to die.”
“I didn’t know any of these 5 boys personally,” said Mr. Peterson, “but I venture that 2 things dominated them: They didn’t want safety, and for the truth of a world democracy they were willing ‘to give’ their lives. Three things made them heroes: They didn’t play safe; they died for a cause; and they have their immortality . . . that which motivated their lives, lives on.”
Councilman Adrian Hart, in the absence of Mayor Howard E. Bruce, who was unable to be present, read a letter of condolence from the city. It said in part: “It is only fitting that we this day dedicate our lives to comforting and aiding their loved ones, and strive to the utmost to establish a lasting peace – for the future generations – this a tribute to our departed members.”
Mrs. Carl H. Carlson played “Largo” by Handel at the opening of the program. Mrs. Peterson sang “Prayer” by Guion and “There Is No Death” by O’Hara, with Mrs. Carlson accompanying.
The honor guard at the soldier’s shrine and the firing squad were from Company E of the state guard under the command of Capt. Leslie R. Whipple, Participating were 2nd Lt. George C. Mathews, T/Sgt. Dale E. Hyde, T/Sgt. William Cooper, S/Sgt. Carol Schultz, Sgt. Ralph D. Rowley, Cpl. Resser Adams, T/5 Terold T. Tilton, Pfc. Robert Patton, Pvt. Constantine Kregotis and Pvt. J. H. Niederheiser. Bill Nicholas played taps.
The program was under the direction of the American Legion and the V. F. W. with Nick Degen, commander of the V. F. W., presiding. All patriotic organizations participated with their colors. (Lock photo, Kayenay engraving.)
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Monday, April 30, 1945, Page 11
Sgt. Nolan M. Gilbert is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
