Three More Waterloo Men Casualties
Waterloo casualty lists Saturday included Pfc. Arvine E. Benedict, 20, killed in action; Staff Sgt. Norman D. Gibbs, 19, missing; and Staff Sgt. Wallace Lichty, 22, wounded for the third time.
Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Gibbs, 514 West Second street, have been notified that their son, Staff Sgt. Norman D. Gibbs, has been missing in action over Yugoslavia since Jan. 15.
He has been serving as a waist gunner and assistant engineer with the 15th Air Force in Italy since December, 1944.
A January, 1944 graduate of West high school, he entered service the following month and trained at Sheppard field, Tex., and Las Vegas, Nev., before receiving his final flight training at Macdill field, Tampa, Fla. He is a former Courier carried boy.
His brother, Staff Sgt. Clifton R. Gibbs, is stationed at Weingarten, Mo.
[NOTE: Portions of this article regarding Pvt. Arvine E. Benedict and SSgt. Wallace Lichty have been omitted but may be found on their individual webpages within this site.]
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, February 04, 1945, Page 13 (photo included)
Three More Men Free in Germany
Tullis, Gibbs, Thieman
Back in American Hands
Families of three Waterloo servicemen rejoiced Saturday upon receiving word of their safety after being held prisoners of war by the German government.
Liberated are Tech. 5th Gr. Max L. Tullis, 28, Staff Sgt. Norman D. Gibbs, 19, and Tech. Sgt. Wendall K. Thieman, 24.
Notice of T-5 Tullis’ safety and good health was received by his wife, Virginia, while en route here from Phoenix, Ariz. Direct word came to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. I. H. Chamberlain, 151 Rainbow drive, with whom she and her daughter, Judy Kay, 3, reside.
Tullis with 106th.
T-5 Tullis was serving with the 106th infantry in Germany at the time of the breakthrough and was later reported missing in action. In a letter Jan. 5 he informed his family that he was in the prison camp. He entered service in March, 1943, received training at Ft. Jackson, S. C., and Camp Atterbuiry, Ind., and went overseas in November, 1944.
Sergeant Gibbs was liberated by Americans, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy F. Gibbs, 514 West Second street. Taken prisoner Jan. 15, when he was reported missing in action over Yugoslavia, he had been serving overseas as a waist gunner and assistant engineer with the 15th air force in Italy since December, 1944.
A January, 1944 graduate of West high school, he entered service the following month.
British Free Thieman.
A card from Sergeant Thieman informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Thieman, 1003 Logan avenue, that he was liberated by British troops and expects to be home soon.
Listed a prisoner of war of the German government July 19, Sergeant Thieman has been overseas since June, 1944, serving as a radio operator on a B-17 Flying Fortress.
He was employed by the Rath Packing Co. before entering service in march, 1943.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Sunday, May 20, 1945, Page 3
