Robert Lester Giebel
Second Lieutenant Robert L. Giebel was a pilot assigned to Marine Base Defense Air Group 41 at MCAS El Toro.
He died in an accidental crash near San Clemente Island, California, on 3 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-26525
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
CONUS Loss
Because this individual died within the limits of the continental United States, they are not tracked by the DPAA.
History
Robert Giebel was born in Wyandotte, Michigan on 11 September 1921. He spent his childhood in Wyandotte with his parents, Ernst and Johanna, and five older siblings. Robert was the baby of the family – his oldest sister, Maddie, was almost twenty years his senior.
Robert attended Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte; he was active in several clubs and the basketball team before graduating in 1940.
Giebel joined the Navy Reserve in early 1942, hoping to become a pilot. After completing ground school, elimination training, and basic flight, he was sent to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi for advanced training. Giebel qualified as a pilot in the summer of 1943, and received his commission as a Marine second lieutenant on 3 July.
Giebel remained on station at Corpus Christi for a few weeks after being “winged.” In October, he traveled to California and joined with Marine Base Defense Air Group 41 (MBDAG-41) at El Toro. Here, Giebel would continue his training prior to assignment to a combat squadron.
On 3 November 1943, Lieutenant Giebel took off from MCAS El Toro for a routine training flight. He was piloting one of the station’s SBD Dauntless bombers (BuNo 29060), and evidently flying alone with no radioman in the rear seat.
At 1715 hours, Giebel’s bomber crashed into the sea just off the northeastern tip of San Clemente Island. Plane and pilot disappeared immediately. A fellow pilot from El Toro circled the site until rescue units arrived. Despite the efforts of a Navy patrol, the Coast Guard, two YP boats and a blimp, no sign of Lieutenant Giebel could be seen.
Robert Giebel was reported dead the day of the accident. His body was never recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Fred & Johanna Giebel.
Location Of Loss
Lt. Giebel crashed off the northern shore of San Clemente Island.
