Longtime Congressman (17-terms) Sam Gibbons, 92, died Wednesday October 9, 2012 at his Tampa, Fl. home.

 

A former U.S. Representative, Gibbons began his military service in June 1941 as an infantry officer. As part of the 101st Airborne Division of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, he led Parachute Infantry forces in the pre-dawn invasion of Normandy on D-Day in 1944. He took part in the invasion of Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, the defense of Bastogne, and actions in Central Europe. In 1945 he left the armed services with the rank of Major. Elected to the Florida State House of Representatives in 1953, Gibbons served there until 1958, and from 1959 to 1963 he served in the Florida State Senate. In 1962 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he served until 1997, becoming Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in 1993. He is a member of the Veterans History Project Five Star Council of advisors.

 

Later, Mr. Gibbons inadvertently prompted a best-selling book: Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation, about World War II veterans.

"Sam was a seminal inspiration for my writing the book," said Brokaw, who met Mr. Gibbons in a French cafe around the 40th anniversary of the D-day invasion. Brokaw said he was mesmerized by the story Mr. Gibbons told that day, and how those wartime experiences might have shaped his career.

Longtime Congressman (17-terms) Sam Gibbons, 92, died Wednesday October 9, 2012 at his Tampa, Fl. home.

 

A former U.S. Representative, Gibbons began his military service in June 1941 as an infantry officer. As part of the 101st Airborne Division of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, he led Parachute Infantry forces in the pre-dawn invasion of Normandy on D-Day in 1944. He took part in the invasion of Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, the defense of Bastogne, and actions in Central Europe. In 1945 he left the armed services with the rank of Major. Elected to the Florida State House of Representatives in 1953, Gibbons served there until 1958, and from 1959 to 1963 he served in the Florida State Senate. In 1962 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he served until 1997, becoming Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in 1993. He is a member of the Veterans History Project Five Star Council of advisors.

 

Later, Mr. Gibbons inadvertently prompted a best-selling book: Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation, about World War II veterans.

"Sam was a seminal inspiration for my writing the book," said Brokaw, who met Mr. Gibbons in a French cafe around the 40th anniversary of the D-day invasion. Brokaw said he was mesmerized by the story Mr. Gibbons told that day, and how those wartime experiences might have shaped his career.

 

A life of service given, a sad loss felt and just when America once again needs men of this calibre.

 

stand down soldier, take a rest.