EARL WILBER GILBRECH was born 05 March 1920 in Ankeny, Polk, Iowa. He was the son of Raymond "Ray" Anderson and Rachel Thompson Gilbrech who married on 03 Dec 1913 in Polk county, IA. Earl was the third of five children born to his parents. His siblings were Leroy Gerald, Perry Thompson "Pete," Mary Louise French, and Ethel Loraine Harmon. During the early years of their marriage, Ray farmed until about the late 1920s when he earned his living as an auto mechanic. He continued in that trade until the US entry into WWII. Car usage dropped significantly due to restricts on gasoline and rubber so there was little work to be had in that field. However, there was a call for workers in the rubber industry. Ray found employment with the United States Rubber company with whom he received the first "E" pin awarded an individual employee. It was said that when Ray learned that his son Earl was missing, he asked permission to report to work one hour early each day on his own time. With the cessation of WWII, Ray returned to work as an auto mechanic.

During the 1930s, as the Great Depression rolled across America, the country's heartland experienced serious economic conditions. Earl, like many of generational contemporaries, was encouraged to find any kind of part-time employment while also attempting to obtain an education. He attended Ankeny high school and to supplement the family's income, he worked part-time wherever he could find the work. Like many youth of his era, he wished for some adventure, and in many cases, also learn a trade.

Earl graduated from Ankeny high school about late May 1938. Prior to his graduation, he went to the local Navy Recruiting Station (NRS) in Des Moines, IA where he filled out an application to enlist on 15 April 1938. He also took the General Classification Test (ACT) earning a score in the 82 percentile; an excellent score. It would seem that Earl's father allowed him to fill out a navy enlistment application with the stipulation that he was to graduate from high school first. Mr Gilbrech signed the consent form for his son's enlistment on 09 August 1938. Of interest, an item on his application form asked for his present address, and also any previous addresses. His present address was in Ankeny, IA, however, a previous address of a year's duration had been in Clam Falls, Polk, WI. What could be in the remote area of Clam Falls, WI that Earl would spend a year there? Ironically, his grandfather, Harry Lion Gilbrech, died 21 Jun 1918 in Polk county, WI.

In 1938, there were many hundreds of prospective navy applicants on the waiting list in Des Moines, IA. Finally, on 04 January 1939, Earl was sworn into the US Navy as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) for a term of 4 yrs. His pay was $21.00 per month. His navy service number (NSN) 321-28-92. Earl transferred to the Naval Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, IL later that day. He arrived the next day and began 3 months of recruit training. Several months into his training, AS Gilbrech became ill. He was admitted to the US Naval Hospital Great Lakes on 14 April 1939 for treatment (not misconduct). Eleven days later on 25 April 1939, he was discharged from the hospital and returned to duty. On 11 May 1939, AS Gilbrech advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c). S2c Gilbrech graduated from basic training on 17 May 1939 and received orders to report for duty to the battleship, USS Maryland (BB-46).

Gilbrech's tour of duty on Maryland was only six months in length. On 11 Nov 1939, Gilbrech transferred to assignment in Asiatic Station in Manila via the repair ship, USS Medusa (AR-1) in San Pedro, CA for further transfer to the transport ship, USS Henderson (AP-1). Henderson teamed up the California coast to San Francisco Bay arriving on 18 Nov. There she spent a period undergoing maintenance at Mare Island. She was underway again on 04 Dec steaming under the new Golden Gate bridge on her way westward toward the first stop of her trans-Pacific trip: Hawaii. She steamed into port on 11 December. Underway again on 14 Dec, she was bound for Guam that she made several days after Christmas 1939. Only a few days in Guam, Henderson was underway again steaming to her next port – Manila. She spent New Year's Day 1940 at sea. She steamed into Manila Bay on 03 January 1940 where she disembarked her passengers including S2 Gilbrech. Gilbrech reported aboard the destroyer, USS Pillsbury (DD-227) on 06 January 1940. On 18 Jan 1940, S2c Gilbrech changed his rating from S2c to Fireman Third Class (F3c).

Japanese aggression continued to increase in East Asia during 1940 forcing many foreign governments to begin withdrawing their ground based forces and the majority of the naval forces, as well as, evacuating military and civilian expatriates from China. On 16 Aug 1940, Gilbrech advanced in rate from F3c to Electrician's Mate Third Class (EM3c), an advancement of three grades!

By autumn of 1940, the unstable international situation in the region and Japan's persistent aggression made the presence of the Asiatic Fleet ships untenable, so Adm. Thomas C. Hart, the Commander in Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet, ordered the withdrawal of all major Navy blue-water ships from China on 21 October 1940, leaving only the gunboats on the Yangtze. When USS Peary (DD-226) departed from Shanghai a short time later, it would mark the end of the US Navy's blue-water ships presence in Chinese ports. As the Asiatic Fleet reduced its presence in China, their operations indefinitely shifted to the Philippine Archipelago. On 02 Dec 1940, Petty Officer Gilbrech transferred to the Receiving Ship, Cavite Navy Yard for instruction at the 8 week Sound Motion Picture Tech School (SMP). He entered the school on 04 Dec.

The threat of hostilities between the United States and Japan grew closer to the boiling point as the year 1941 began. On 27 Jan 1941, EM3 Gilbrech graduated from the SMP school standing #7 in a class of #16. His final mark was 85.1. He was now qualified to operate and repair Navy SMP Equipment. Gilbrech returned to duty onboard Pillsbury on 08 Feb 1941.

Then, in July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn't know how or when hostilities would start. Hart trained his destroyer crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising his "defensive deployment." About 15 Oct 1941, while engaged in maneuvers, Pillsbury and Peary collided causing serious damage to Peary.

On 25 November 1941, two days in advance of the "war warning" which predicted that hostile Japanese action in the Pacific was imminent, Admiral Hart directed units of the Asiatic Fleet including destroyer tender USS Black Hawk (AD-9), and other ships of Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Nine (DesRon) 29, to exercise his "Defensive Deployment" well south of Manila. The ships arrived on the morning of 29 Nov 1941 in Balikpapan, a major oil port on the eastern coast of Borneo. Four destroyers of Destroyer Division (DESDIV)-59 ships remained at Cavite. Two of them, Pillsbury and Peary, were moored at the Cavite Navy Yard for collision damage repair and two others; Pope and John D. Ford remained for anti-submarine, and escort duties. On 01 Dec 1941, EM3 Gilbrech advanced in rate to Electrician's Mate Second Class (EM2c). On 08 Dec 1941(Manila Time), Japanese forces attacked at Pearl Harbor.

On 10 Dec 1941, a massive Japanese aerial bombing attack occurred that almost completely destroyed the Navy Yard, Cavite. Pillsbury managed to get underway and was not damaged. She began escort and anti-submarine patrols in and around Manila Bay until the evening of 26 Dec when she was ordered to proceed South to Balikpapan in Borneo. She arrived before 5 Jan 1942. During January 1942, Pillsbury's primary duties were convoy escort and anti-submarine screening. On 14 February, Pillsbury and other ships of the ABDA force steamed from southern Sumatra to attempt an attack on a Japanese naval force. The following day a large force of Japanese bombers attack the Allied ships causing a small amount of damage. The force turned back because of the lack of air cover.

On 19 Feb 1942, Pillsbury was again part of an Allied striking force that attempted to stop the Japanese invasion of Bali. She did fire several torpedoes and may have hit the destroyer Michishio with gunfire. However, the Japanese overpowered the allied force such that it was never a threat to the Japanese conquest of the Dutch East Indies. Pillsbury, out of torpedoes was ordered to Tjilatjap for replenishment which were not readily available.

As the collapse of Netherlands East Indies to Japanese invaders became more of a reality, many allied vessels made a mad dash across the Indian Ocean toward safety in either Australia or Ceylon. At mid-afternoon on Sunday, 01 Mar 1942, Pillsbury left Tjilatjap bound for Australia. For the first twenty-one hours, her fortunes seemed bright. Yet, sometime during midday on 2 March, Pillsbury was spotted by a Japanese reconnaissance plane that misidentified her as a light cruiser. Contact information was forwarded to Vice Admiral Kondo's main body. Kondo decided to try an intercept with his two heavy cruisers, Takao and his flagship Atago. About five hours later, Japanese lookouts spotted a small ship in the dark about 10 miles away. Japanese records indicate that Pillsbury seemed to turn toward the two heavy cruisers. Her actions, according to witnesses, came as quite a surprise. As Pillsbury got to within about 3 miles, the Japanese ships illuminated her with their powerful searchlights. Pillsbury transmitted frantic recognition codes.

Several minutes later Japanese 8 inch main battery guns commenced point-blank fire upon Pillsbury at a range of about 2.5 nautical miles. In a span of 340 seconds, no fewer than 170 8-inch projectiles were fired at her, one shell every two seconds. For a few moments 's gun crews returned several rounds but the fatal damage to her was done. Pillsbury sank less than six minutes after the first salvos hit the hapless destroyer. The Japanese made no effort to search for survivors. Their records simply show the "enemy light cruiser of the Marblehead class" was attacked and sunk at 2102 hours. The Japanese recorded the location although their ship identification was incorrect. The coordinates where Pillsbury sank were, in fact, very close to coordinates recently messaged to Allied ships fleeing Java who were instructed to rendezvous in that vicinity and proceed together to Exmouth Gulf. In the darkness, it seems possible that Pillsbury had mistaken the Takao and Atago for Allied ships. Pillsbury's fate has remained a mystery for almost 70 years until Japanese records became available. Another, more current theory is that the Japanese had broken the US communications code and knew in advance where and when US ships would rendezvous.

On 19 March 1942, Mr and Mrs Gilbrech received a telegram for the Department of the Navy informing them that their son, EARL WILBER GILBRECH, was missing in the service of his country since 02 March 1942.

On 08 Apr 1943, Mr and Mrs Gilbrech received a letter from the Chief of Naval Personnel informing the family that their son had been missing since 01 March 1942 and that all pay and allotments were to be continued to his account.

On 28 Nov 1945, The Gilbrechs received a letter from the Chief of Naval Personnel informing them that their son has been presumed dead on 25 Nov 1945.

USS Pillsbury received two battle stars for World War II service, for Asiatic Fleet operations 8 December 1941-1 March 1942 and for Badoeng Strait (19-20 February 1942).

EM2c Gilbrech was listed as missing in action on 02 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was declared dead on 25 November 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart, US Navy Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive from 1969), American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal, US Army Presidential Unit Citation and the World War II Victory Medal.

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A commemoration in honor of the service of EM2 GILBRECH from President Harry S. Truman reads:

In Grateful Memory of Earl Wilber GILBRECH, Who Died In The Service Of His Country At Sea, Asiatic Area, attached U.S.S. , 25 November 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

Signed,

Harry Truman

President of the United States of America

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Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

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Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

Criteria

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online:

https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

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Primary Sources:

1) Gilbrech, Earl Wilber Electricians Mate Second Class, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. February 2024.

2) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

3) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

4) Winslow, W.G., The Fleet The Gods Forgot: The U.S. Asiatic Fleet In World War II, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland. 1982.

5) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

6) Messimer, Dwight R. Pawn of War; The Loss of the USS Langley and the USS Pecos. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, 1983.

7) Wikipedia page, USS Pillsbury Retrieved online 11 April 2024.

8) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

9) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports

10) Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Fighting Ships (DANFS), USS Pillsbury (DD-227), Retrieved online 11 April 2024.

11) Rickard, J (17 June 2019), USS Pillsbury (DD-227) , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_USS_Pillsbury_DD227.html

12) Several newspaper articles.

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Bio #452 composed on 15 April 2024 by Gerry Lawton (G47)

Military Hall of Honor ID#138319

Find A Grave Memorial Page#56760503