GEORGE "GRIPEY" GIBBS

Real Name: George Gibbs

Identity/Class: Human (post-World War II era)

Occupation: Soldier

Group Membership: U.S. Marines (King Company)

Affiliations: Sgt. Buzz Bailey

Enemies: The Chinese army

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Mobile in Korea during the Korean War

First Appearance: Marines at War I#6 (June, 1957)

Powers/Abilities: George Gibbs was an able soldier. He carried a rifle. Gibbs became knowledgeable in communications equipment, particularly in laying and splicing wires.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'11")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 165 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

History:
(Marines at War I#6) - Private First Class George Gibbs was a new arrival in Korea and was sent to bolster the ranks of the U.S. Marines in King Company who were on the front lines. Gibbs arrogantly announced himself to the other Marines, claiming "George Gibbs is here... that means your troubles are over an' the Reds' are just beginnin'!" He was sent to report to Sgt. Buzz Bailey. Bailey informed Gibbs that he was assigned to communications and would assist him in deploying a spool of telephone wire. Gibbs was disappointed in the assignment because he wanted to fight rather than lay wire but Bailey insisted that laying wire was as important as pulling a trigger.

    As they began setting the wire, Gibbs asked Bailey why he was satisfied with their detail. Bailey replied that not every detail was combat, otherwise there wouldn't be any food, ammunition or supplies. Regardless, Gibbs insisted, that as soon as he could, he would transfer to a combat outfit. As they lay the telephone wire, they were observed by Chinese soldiers.

    In the days that followed, King Company faced Chinese forces in battle but Gibbs was still assigned to laying wire with Bailey. Bailey had taken to nicknaming Gibbs "Gripey." Prior to a planned counter-attack by King Company, Gibbs and Bailey observed the Chinese military planting landmines in the canyon that their men were supposed to travel. The mines were designed to be activated by a detonation box so Gibbs and Bailey cut the wire and spliced in a wire that led to the telephone of the colonel leading the Chinese attack. When King Company were lured towards the canyon by enemy soldiers pretending to retreat, the colonel activated his telephone so he could give orders to his demolition crew on when to activate the mines. The moment the colonel activated the telephone, he set off the minefield while his men were still in the canyon. The majority of Chinese troops were killed when the minefield exploded and Gibbs and Bailey took the rest prisoner then contacted the captain of King Company to avoid the canyon.

    After King Company's victory, the captain offered Gibbs his transfer out of King Company. Gibbs accepted the paper then tore it in half, saying he'd rather continue serving in communications than be in any other outfit.

Comments: Created by an unidentified writer and Gene Colan.

    This profile was completed 07/21/2025 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
George Gibbs should not be confused with:

Sgt. Buzz Bailey

Sgt. Buzz Bailey was a soldier in King Company who worked in communications. Buzz took Gibbs under his wing as his assistant in laying telephone wire. Gibbs disliked the detail, causing Buzz to nickname him "Gripey." However, in time, their expertise came in handy when they sabotaged a Chinese minefield detonator so the Chinese would blow up their own men in an attempted ambush.



--Marines at War I#6

images: (without ads)
Marines at War I#6, page 2, panel 3 (Gibbs, main)
Marines at War I#6, page 3, panel 4 (Gibbs, face)
Marines at War I#6, page 3, panel 3 (Bailey)

Appearances:
Marines at War I#6 (June, 1957) - unidentified writer, Gene Colan (artist), Stan Lee (editor)

First posted: 09/20/2026
Last updated: 07/21/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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