Scope and Contents

The collection consists of newsletters, award citations, award certificates, and medals documenting Colonel James Gibler's USAF service in Vietnam with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 198th Light Infantry Brigade as an Air Liaison Officer/Forward Air Controller (ALO/FAC).

Biographical / Historical

James Carter Gibler was born in Mattoon, Illinois on 11 September 1932. In 1953, Gibler volunteered for the United States Air Force, beginning a total of 24 years of military service. From September 1967 to May 1968, Gibler served with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 198th Light Infantry Brigade as Air Liaison Officer/Forward Air Controller (ALO/FAC). During this time, Gibler was ranked as a Major and was involved in the Knam Duc Battle during the Tet Offensive, 1968. After having received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, Gibler retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel in 1977. Gibler then worked in the oil and gas industry and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Americal Division Association, and the Forward Air Controller Association.