His story: Pfc Eugene Gilbreath
Name: Eugene ‘Gene’ Elbert Gilbreath
Rank: Private First Class
Unit: Company HQ, Second battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Rank: Private First Class
Unit: Company HQ, Second battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Pfc Eugene ‘Gene’ Gilbreath was born as Eugene Elbert Gilbreath on October 13 1925 in Atlanta Missouri.
He grew up on a farm in the Ozarks of Missouri in a family of four. His parents, brother Gerald and
himself. He was a happy kid, although the United States suffered from the great depression. Fishing
and hunting were his favorite pastime activities. Eugene went to elementary school in a one-room school
house. After elementary school he attended high school and graduated at 16 in 1942. After highschool
he worked as a timekeeper for Swift & Co. company in Kansas City, just prior to military service.
He grew up on a farm in the Ozarks of Missouri in a family of four. His parents, brother Gerald and
himself. He was a happy kid, although the United States suffered from the great depression. Fishing
and hunting were his favorite pastime activities. Eugene went to elementary school in a one-
he worked as a timekeeper for Swift & Co. company in Kansas City, just prior to military service.
Gene was really motivated to join the army and join the fight, but couldn’t get his parents to agree on
Gene’s parents weren’t exited that their son was leaving for battle soon. Especially when they
learned that he became a paratrooper with greater chance of dangerous actions. His father had
fought in World War 1 and was seriously wounded during the Saint-Maheil battle.
On January 7 1944, Gene left the USA, together with his buddy Dennis D. Garland, and went
overseas, not knowing to which unit he would be attached. Nine days later Gene arrived in England.
On July 16, 1944 he was assigned to HQ company, second battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry
Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in Aldbourne, England. Gene was assigned over a month after
D-day and eager to join in the fighting in Europe. He remembers two instances where the division
was to jump into France, but both operations got called off because the territory was already taken
by allied forces. Eventually Gene would make his first combat jump in Son, the Netherlands during
operation Market Garden.
During combat Gene was part of an anti-tank platoon. They used the folding stock carbines as a
primary weapon and bazooka’s to take out vehicles. On the first day of the operation, Gene stayed
in Son and moved to Eindhoven on the 18th. In Eindhoven Gene would meet one of his fears, when
Eindhoven got bombed heavily by the Germans in the evening September 19.
Eventually the division would make its way to Veghel to open up the highway. On September 24
just over a hundred men from second battalion moved north from Veghel towards Uden, amongst
these men was Gene. Just as they entered Uden, the highway in between Veghel and Uden was
cut off by the Germans. Gene stayed in Uden for a couple of days before returning to Veghel. On
October 3rd, the division assembled to move out to the Betuwe, an area which the Americans called
‘The island’. Gene left the Netherlands with the division. The division was brought to Mourmelon-le-
grand to rest and refit. Gene always had fond memories of the Dutchmen.
learned that he became a paratrooper with greater chance of dangerous actions. His father had
fought in World War 1 and was seriously wounded during the Saint-
On January 7 1944, Gene left the USA, together with his buddy Dennis D. Garland, and went
overseas, not knowing to which unit he would be attached. Nine days later Gene arrived in England.
On July 16, 1944 he was assigned to HQ company, second battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry
Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in Aldbourne, England. Gene was assigned over a month after
D-
by allied forces. Eventually Gene would make his first combat jump in Son, the Netherlands during
operation Market Garden.
During combat Gene was part of an anti-
in Son and moved to Eindhoven on the 18th. In Eindhoven Gene would meet one of his fears, when
Eindhoven got bombed heavily by the Germans in the evening September 19.
Eventually the division would make its way to Veghel to open up the highway. On September 24
just over a hundred men from second battalion moved north from Veghel towards Uden, amongst
these men was Gene. Just as they entered Uden, the highway in between Veghel and Uden was
cut off by the Germans. Gene stayed in Uden for a couple of days before returning to Veghel. On
October 3rd, the division assembled to move out to the Betuwe, an area which the Americans called
‘The island’. Gene left the Netherlands with the division. The division was brought to Mourmelon-
joining until his 18th birthday. On his birthday, Gene
registered for the draft and volunteered to go
immediately. Just eight days later, October 21 1943,
Gene was in the army.
registered for the draft and volunteered to go
immediately. Just eight days later, October 21 1943,
Gene was in the army.
Gene reported for active duty November 17 and took
basic training in an intelligence and recon company in
Camp Blanding, Florida. In mid-February 1944 he volun-
teered for parachute training and completed jump school
on May 6 1944 in Fort Benning, Georgia. After a 14-day
basic training in an intelligence and recon company in
Camp Blanding, Florida. In mid-
on May 6 1944 in Fort Benning, Georgia. After a 14-
leave he received additional training at Fort Benning.
Photo: Dennis D. Garland and Eugene Gilbreath during
leave in the United States, 1943. Dennis and Eugene
were assigned to the same regiment. Dennis died of
wounds after actions in Belgium on February 1, 1945.
leave in the United States, 1943. Dennis and Eugene
were assigned to the same regiment. Dennis died of
wounds after actions in Belgium on February 1, 1945.
Photo: Eugene ‘Gene’ Gilbreath HQ-2-506 PIR
Picture taken in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.