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The family of Gilbert Vargas has requested the PGR to stand tall and honor their hero.
Glibert served in the U.S. Army, 76th Infantry during WW II between 1942 and 1945. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star. Gilbert also received the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
He is survived by his wife Mary Vargas, three daughters, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
The following historical brief will show us why they call Gilbert and his brothers-in-arms, the HEROS that they were.
… The 76th Infantry Division was activate in June 1942 and arrived in England, 20 December 1944, where it received additional training.
… It landed at Le Havre, France, 12 January 1945, and proceeded to the Limesy concentration area.
… The Division moved to Beine east of Reims and then to Champlon, Belgium, 23 January, to prepare for combat.
… Relieving the 87th Division in defensive positions along the Sauer and Moselle Rivers in the vicinity of Echternach, Luxembourg, 25 January, the 76th sent out patrols and crossed the Sauer, 7 February, and breached the Siegfried Line in a heavy assault.
… The advance continued across the Prum and Nims Rivers, 25-27 February.
… Katzenkopf fortress and Irrel fell on the 28th and the attack pushed on toward Trier, reaching the Moselle, 3 March.
… Driving across the Kyll River, the Division took Hosten, 3 March, Speicher on the 5th and Karl on the 10th; swung south and cleared the area north of the Moselle, crossing the river, 18 March, near Mulheim.
… Moving to the Rhine, the 76th took over defenses from Boppard to St. Goar and crossed the Rhine at Boppard, 27 March.
… It drove east and took Kamberg in a house-to-house struggle, 29 March.
… A new attack was launched 4 April and the Werra River was reached the next day. The attack continued in conjunction with the 6th Armored Division; Langensalza fell and the Gera River was crossed, 11 April.
… Zeitz was captured after a violent struggle, 14-15 April, and the 76th reached the Mulde River on the 16th, going into defensive positions to hold a bridgehead across the Mulde near Chemnitz until VE-day.
Ride Captain: N’TEL (Rick Smith) 623-580-1501 / ntel.pgr.az@gmail.com
Flag Support Vehicle Person: TBD
Date: 15 August 2016
Staging Time: 0845 hrs, Santa Teresita Church,14016 N. Verbena St., El Mirage, AZ, 85335
Briefing Time: 0915 hrs
KSU Time: 1115 hrs
Military Honors: Upon arrival, approx. 1145 hrs. Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 9925 W Thomas Road, Avondale, AZ 85392
Road Guards are requested. Please contact Doug “Skully” Pierson with availability
Note: Honor Flags for the escort are requested. Please contact Ride Captain.
Due to Arizona Weather, please hydrate the day before and the day of the mission.