Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM No. 2838
November 9, 2023- November 15, 2023
Welcome Home, Lieutenant Myers
Gilbert Myers’ Story Myers was born on Feb. 10, 1916 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He spent his young life working in steel mills, and by 1927 he was the oldest of six siblings, including his brother Paul, with whom he was very close. In 1929, America was plunged into economic depression, and the Myers’ couldn’t escape. After his father lost his job, and his family lost their houses, Gilbert was forced to drop out of high school to look for a job. In 1936, the family split up. Gilbert’s parents moved to Gulfport, with their three youngest children. He soon joined them, and got a job as a truck driver for Smith Service
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TRACY AND MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM
By Patrick Heinzen
When Gulfport resident Jack Corey was a child, his uncle Gilbert Myers enlisted in the military. Myers joined the military in 1940, and left for Camp Blanding on Dec. 2, 1941, five days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. On July 10, 1943, his plane was shot down during the Allied invasion of Sicily. His remains were never recovered, and he was declared missing in action. 80 years later, his remains have been identified, and are on their way back to Gulfport for a funeral.
Gilbert Myers standing with his plane.
Co., headquartered on the intersection of 3rd Avenue South and 22nd Street South. After a few
years of working, he enlisted and left the area for basic training. Myers continued on page 6