United States Marine Corps (Ret.)
Master Sergeant William “Spanky” Gibson (Ret.) is a 22-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. During his USMC career, he served in Operation Desert Storm/Shield, Operation Sea Angel (Bangladesh), Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After being wounded in combat, he re-deployed to Iraq in January 2008, making him the first above the knee amputee to return to a ground combat area of operation. He also served as one of the first two Enlisted Congressional Fellows to Congress. His personal awards are the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Purple Heart and the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor Device (2nd Award), among others.