Bio: Gilbertson, William G. - Navy Mate (Service Notes - 1976)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gilbertson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/11/1976

Gilbertson, Navy Chief Boatswain’s Mate William G. (Service Notes - 1976)

Navy Chief Boatswain’s Mate William G. Gilbertson, 31, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan T. Gilbertson of Merrillan, is taking part in a five-nation naval exercise of the California coast as a crewmember of the guided missile cruiser USS Gridley, homeported in San Diego, Ca.

Named “Valiant Heritage” to commemorate America’s Bicentennial, the exercise involves 41 ships, 200 aircraft and more than 18,000 men.

The 11-day exercise, including forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, is designed to test the ability of the allies navies in joint operation. The maneuvers will include missile firings at the Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, Calif., carrier operations, underway replenishment, communications and gunnery tests.

Gilbertson joined the Navy in October 1962.