Melvin Vilhelm Gilbert recently returned from the Honor Flight. His daughter Jeanine Heward accompanied him on the trip to Washington DC. “I had a good trip. They fed us really well. I met Gov. Herbert. The changing of the guard was very impressive. This was the first time, I’d been on an airplane. In the service I rode on the train to New Orleans and then I was out on my ship. I was in the service for one month less than four years. My wife and I have six kids, 20 grandkids and 33 great-grandkids with one more on the way. I enjoyed spending time with other Veterans on the trip,” said Melvin.
He is 90 years old. “I was a cook. They came down looking for three men to work in the kitchen and he said, I’ll take you and you and you. So I went to work in the kitchen feeding the crew breakfast, lunch and dinner. There were 125 on our crew and the ship could hold up to 600 passengers. We took soldiers and equipment to all the beaches from New Guinea to the Philippines. The ship went on to Japan after I got off,” remembered Melvin.
Melvin entered the United States Navy on June 10, 1943. He experienced his basic training in Farragut, Idaho for six weeks. Melvin then rode the train to California and then to New Orleans and from there was taken to the ship he was stationed on, LST 245.
Not only was Melvin a cook on board ship, but also a pointer on a 20mm gun. Melvin served on the LST 245 his entire term of service.
The LST 245 was involved in many campaigns while Melvin was aboard. Eastern New Guinea operations, Bismarck Archipelago operation, Hollandia operation, Western New Guinea operations, Leyte operation, Luzon operation, Consolidation and capture of Southern Philippines, Borneo operations.
Melvin received the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre medal (4 bronze stars), The Philippine Liberation medal (2 bronze stars) and the American Theatre medal. He was discharged on May 4, 1946 as a ship’s cook first class. He returned home to Utah.
Melvin’s grandson Jarret Gilbert read a tribute to him during the San Rafael Veteran’s Day program. Jarret said his aunt went with grandpa to Washington. “It was an amazing experience for them both. The respect they were shown and the courtesy. They deserve it. When my grandpa came home off his trip, I was there. It’s amazing, the people gathered around to see the veterans come in. The whole place showed so much respect for the men and women who served our country. Honor Flight truly honored our grandpa.
“Grandpa Gilbert is a true hero. He grew up in a time we can only imagine. He was poor, but happy. He has 12 brothers and sisters. Pearl Harbor happened while grandpa was in the ninth grade. He was drafted and enlisted in the Navy so he could choose. Grandpa also had two brothers and a sister who served. Those young people set aside their hopes and dreams for a time to fight for freedom. I’ve never once heard my grandpa complain. I am thankful to him and to all the men and women who served. You are a hero we should all look up to. I love you grandpa and thank you Veterans,” said Jarret.
Melvin Gilbert returns from Honor Flight
"Melvin Gilbert and his family attend the Veteran's Day program at San Rafael. Jarett, Megan, Kimberlyn, and Treven Gilbert. Paul, Sharmon, and Cassidy Gilbert. Cody and Sharel Dale. Ken and Connie Gilbert. Melvin and Joan Gilbert. Not pictured was Kolleen Gilbert and Aliyah Gilbert."