Edward Gibson - Oakland

1911 photo ²

Edward Herrick Gibson (July 4, 1867 – April 25, 1942) was an Oakland resident and received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine-American War. There is some confusion about his middle initial, sometimes appearing as H, N, or F. It appears as H in most records and on his grave marker, but as F in the 1911 articles about him, and N on the certificate accompanying his medal.

Edward Gibson received the medal for getting soldiers under his command across a river while under heavy enemy fire. This was the same action that Antoine Gaujot was awarded the Medal of Honor for. They attempted to find a ford across the river, and failing that, attempted to swim across to retrieve a canoe:

...the congressional medal of honor has been awarded to you for most distinguished gallantry in action at San Mateo, Philippine islands, December 19, 1899, while a sergeant, Company M, Twentyseventh United States volunteer infantry, the following being a statement of the particular service rendered: "On this occasion Sergeant Edward F. Gibson attempted, under a heavy fire of the enemy, to swim a river for the purpose of obtaining and returning with a canoe." ¹

Gibson was a Scottish Rite mason, and his medal is on display at the Scottish Rite Center along with a certificate:

MEDAL OF HONOR CERTIFICATE

ISSUED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED APRIL 27, 1916.

To whom it may concern:

This is to certify, That Edward N Gibson was enlisted on the thirteenth day of July, 1899, to serve for period ending June 30, 1901, and was discharged on the first day of April, 1901, by reason of muster out of company while holding the grade of 1st sergeant, in Co. M 27th Regiment of US. Volunteer Infantry that a medal of honor was awarded to him on the second day of February, 1911, for "Attempting under a heavy fire of the enemy to swim a river for the purpose of obtaining and returning with a canoe." , that his name was entered and recorded on the Army and Navy Medal of Honor Roll on the twenty-ninth day of July, 1932, as authorized under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved April 27, 1916, and that he is entitled to receive the special pension granted by that Act.

Given at the War Department, Washington, D. C., this fourth day of August, 1932. 

By the authority of the Secretary of War

/s/

The Adjutant General

Edward Gibson and his wife, Lena De Mooy Gibson (October, 16, 1878-July 12, 1963) lived a number of places in Oakland. The 1910 census and 1911 article list 1209 28th Street where Lena's parents also lived; the 1920 census lists 2737 12th Avenue; 1930 and later list 2345 8th Avenue. This last location is very near where Arbor Villa stood until 1931, so they would have doubtless known it.

The Gibsons are buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, CA.