Edward Clifton Gibson

COL Gibson was a proud combat veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and a dedicated civil servant, serving honorably and with distinction throughout nearly 50 years of public service. He began his military career in 1943, joining the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and serving onboard the USS Augusta (CA-31) during the invasion of Southern France. After World War II, COL Gibson enlisted in the U.S. Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Riley, KS.

COL Gibson held a variety of combat engineer command and staff positions culminating in his assignment as the 65th Engineer Combat Battalion Commander, 25th Infantry Division, and then command of the U.S. Army Engineer Center Brigade at Fort Belvoir VA prior to his retirement in 1972.

Following retirement, COL Gibson was selected to be the Chief of Military Personnel, Office of the Chief of Engineers, a position he held for 20 years; upon his retirement he was awarded the Exceptional Federal Civil Service Award and the Silver De Fleury Medal (an U.S. Army Engineer Association award), for his outstanding and unflagging support and contribution to the profession of military engineers.

After leaving Federal Service, COL Gibson established a non-profit company, 21 Delta Search, to help service members and public service personnel transitioning to the civilian work force. For nearly 30 years Ed helped mentor and place hundreds of former service members in meaningful and satisfying employment. In 2004 he received the U.S. Army Engineer Association Gold de Fleury Medal, awarded to individuals whose contributions to the Army Engineer Regiment exemplify boldness, courage, and commitment to a strong national defense. Ed was clearly an outstanding model of those ideals.

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Academy of Fellows also honored COL Gibson with receipt of the 2018 Golden Eagle Award for his decades of professional achievement and public service and his outstanding contributions to the engineering profession. The SAME also created the “Gibson Veteran Transition Medal” in his honor to recognize a SAME member annually for their superior efforts in assisting uniformed personnel in their transitions to the private sector.

Ed leaves behind an enduring legacy and an unfailing devotion to his family and friends. Ed was a blessing and gift to us all, touching our lives daily with his warm smile, words of wisdom, and selfless acts of kindness and generosity. He always made us feel like we were the most important and loved people in his eyes.

Ed is survived by his wife of 72 years (Estelle), three children Beth (Greg) Parker, Jim (Kim) Gibson, and Clif (Monika) Gibson, six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

Ed’s Memorial Service and burial with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery will be held on Wednesday March 30th 2022 at 1:00pm at The Old Post Chapel.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/springfield-va/edward-gibson-10505890 for the Gibson Family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in memory of Colonel Edward C. Gibson, USA Retired be made to the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Foundation (https://www.same.org/foundation/donate-now ), the Army Engineer Association Guardians of the Castle Fund (https://armyengineer.com/donate/ , or your favorite charity.