John Blair Gibbs was the younger of two sons of Alfred & Peggy (Blair) Gibbs. He graduated from Rutgers in 1878 and the University of Pennslyvania with his medical degree in 1881. He was an assistant surgeon at Lebanon Hospital and Dement Dispensary, New York City. When the Spanish American War began in the spring of 1898, Dr. Gibbs wanted to serve. His cousin, Laura D'Oremieulx Roosevelt was married to James W. Roosevelt, first cousin of Theodore Roosevelt, and Dr. Gibbs was encouraged by the future President to join the service. So in April 1898 he became an acting assistant surgeon with the U.S. Navy's Medical Corps. Dr. Gibbs was assigned to the First Marine Battalion. Soon after he found himself aboard the USS Panther headed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was there only two days. He'd been busily treating wounded while under heavy fire. He was shot in the head while in the medical tent, arranging for a way to move his patients to a safer area.
Dr. Gibbs was first buried in Cuba but his remains were returned to Portsmouth in 1899 and laid to rest beside his father. He was survived by his mother and his brother Alfred.
Dr. Gibbs was first buried in Cuba but his remains were returned to Portsmouth in 1899 and laid to rest beside his father. He was survived by his mother and his brother Alfred.
John Blair Gibbs was the younger of two sons of Alfred & Peggy (Blair) Gibbs. He graduated from Rutgers in 1878 and the University of Pennslyvania with his medical degree in 1881. He was an assistant surgeon at Lebanon Hospital and Dement Dispensary, New York City. When the Spanish American War began in the spring of 1898, Dr. Gibbs wanted to serve. His cousin, Laura D'Oremieulx Roosevelt was married to James W. Roosevelt, first cousin of Theodore Roosevelt, and Dr. Gibbs was encouraged by the future President to join the service. So in April 1898 he became an acting assistant surgeon with the U.S. Navy's Medical Corps. Dr. Gibbs was assigned to the First Marine Battalion. Soon after he found himself aboard the USS Panther headed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was there only two days. He'd been busily treating wounded while under heavy fire. He was shot in the head while in the medical tent, arranging for a way to move his patients to a safer area.
Dr. Gibbs was first buried in Cuba but his remains were returned to Portsmouth in 1899 and laid to rest beside his father. He was survived by his mother and his brother Alfred.
Dr. Gibbs was first buried in Cuba but his remains were returned to Portsmouth in 1899 and laid to rest beside his father. He was survived by his mother and his brother Alfred.
Inscription
Asst. Surgeon U.S. Navy. Killed in battle at Guantanamo Bay.
Family Members
Flowers
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