Long-missing World War II bomber crewman to return home Friday

World War II bomber crewman Technical Sgt. Clarence Gibbs will finally be reunited with family after 81 years Friday.

Gibbs’ remains will arrive at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport around 7 p.m. Friday. He is to be buried alongside his sister, Mildred Gibbs Brown, at Pinelawn Memory Gardens at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 26.

According to Gray Funeral Home, Patriot Guard Riders will lead an escort along with Law Enforcement from the airport, down I-385 to the funeral home.

“We kindly ask that our local community show your support by lining roadsides and bridges if you would like,” a statement from the funeral home read. “Let’s come together for a final salute to T/Sgt. Clarence E. Gibbs and remember the bravery he showed for our country.”

Gibbs, who was shot down over Germany in 1944 and later killed by German SS troops, has been MIA/presumed killed since the end of World War II.

After his remains were found in a German cemetery. His DNA was matched to family members in Laurens County and Anderson through an online genealogy database.