Those Who Served
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The Class of 1949 is justly proud of it's many classmates who served in the military. Former Gilbertonions, classmates and relatives served in WWII, Korea & Viet Nam. It is only fitting that we, the Class of 1949, dedicate this space in memory of those who served. Some returned. Some did not.
 
Gilbert Veterans
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World War II
Goodrow, Don
Meyer Larry
"Lest We Forget Gilbert's Goldstars "
Kenneth Dietlin '35
Walter Dombrowski '36
Albert Elson '39,
Eugene K. Franklin '39
Joeph Grecco '34
Phillip Green '34
William Joyce '39
Robert Lattimer '43
Francis Lemelin '41
John F. Mahoney '41
Dwight Manghue '39
John Matula '40
George Menael '37
Kenneth Emerick '41
Paul Picard '35
Andrew Potpolak '43
Walter Reichold '36
Gordon Schlosser '41
John Stella '36
Paul Stiquel '40
Edmond L. Stocker '37
William Thomas '39
Richard Waldron '34
Korea
Bell, Jack

Bronson, R
Dietlin, Chuck
Drinkwine, Chet
Fenn, Ronnie
Goodrow, Don
Hall, R.
Hutton, Bill.
Jauch, Chris
Jones, Roger
Lambour, Fran
Morgan, Jack
Nichols, Francis
O’Connor, Bob
Ryan, Jack
Schultz, George
Useforge, Charlie
Williams, Fred
Winn, Larry
Vietnam
Goodrow Don
Rowley, Charles S.
Tiiffany, Frank. B.
Drinkwine, Chet
Fenn, Ronnie

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Gilbert Veterans
National WWII Memorial
(Dedication May 29th, 2004)
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George De Mars (middle back row) and his comrades
Back row Bill Hutton, Art Del Nero,
Bob Millahn, Charles Dietlin Front row:
Ken Pratt, George DeMars and Joe Gillette

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Vietnam Memorial Statue
Vietnam Memorial Wall
In our continuing effort to recognize "Those Who Served" the class of 1949 would like to honor the memory of their classmate, Col. Charles S. Rowley. He was born on May 14, 1931 and traveled to Gilbert from his home town of Riverton, CT. During his 4 years at Gilbert, Charles served as our class president, was an honor student for 4 years, a member of the Senior Prom Committee, Senior Glee Club and Machine Shop Club.

After graduating from Gilbert he entered the Naval Academy and upon graduation from the Academy entered the Air Force in 1954. Sixteen years later on April 22 1970 an AC130A gun ship, with a crew of 10 departed Ubom Airbase, Thailand, with Col. Rowley, chief navigator aboard. During its fourth strike over the Ho Chi Mihn Trail in southeast Laos, the gun ship was hit by anti-aircraft fire and went down. Reports first stated 6 killed and 4 missing. Not knowing the facts surrounding this downed craft the Rowley family began a search for information that would last over 20 years. In his career, he received the following medals: Distinguished Service Cross for Heroism, DSC Oak Leaf Cluster (usually means a second Distinguished Service Cross), Air Medal, Purple Heart and Master Navigator.

For complete details of this search please read "a Daughter's Story" by Patti Rowley-Sayles by clicking below.

Class President
AC130A Gunship
Col. C. S. Rowley
In search of Charles Stoddard Rowley; A Daughter's Story.
April 22, 1970 - April 7, 1993
by Patti Rowley-Sayles and Terry Tranbarger
Airforce AC130 Crew Buried in Arlington National Cemetery
November 1995