Just a few weeks ago that Green Lane Mayor Lynn Wolfe was "house cleaning"

Corporal Woodrow Gilbert

the borough office.  Several newer file cabinets had been donated to the borough.  Since the old ones would need to be moved out to make room for the replacements, it seemed like the perfect time to for a proper scrub-down and reorganization of the borough's documents.

            While performing her task, she found an old photograph behind one of the cabinets.  It was a man in uniform and its length of time hidden could only solicit a guess.

            But Wolfe knew that someone would know who the unnamed soldier was and that there was a story behind the photo and why it was in the borough office.

            She posted the image on social media, asking for help in identifying the soldier.

            It didn't take long to get a response. 

            Vickie Hess, wife of Donald Hess saw the photo and knew it was Donald's uncle Woodrow Gilbert.  Nancy Gilbert, the family historian, posted that information on the Facebook inquiry.

Left to right, Gilbert family historian Nancy Gilbert, Green Lane Mayor Lynn Wolfe,  and family members Vicki and Donald Hess look over the photograph of Woodrow  Gilbert and other historical documents in Green Lane's borough office.

            The Mayor's quest for information was quickly answered.

            But the story of the photo, and the man in it, doesn't stop there.

            A story in the January 12, 1945 edition of the Town and Country newspaper reported that 32-year-old Corporal Woodrow Gilbert, son of Francis N. and the late Mary C. Gilbert was killed in action in December.  He was previously reported as missing in action.

            He was in Europe for less than two months and was a member of Company A, one of the few full companies who were Ranger Qualified in World War II.

            It was reported that Gilbert died storming Christmas Tree Hill, near Lemburg-Bitche, France – near the Luxembourg border.

            A letter from Major General Edward Witsell confirmed Gilbert's death.  But the missive reported so much more.

            Witsell's letter was a notification that Gilbert would posthumously receive the Silver Star for his gallantry in action in that battle on December 7, 1944.

            In the letter it stated that an enemy 20-millimer weapon had inflicted heavy casualties upon his platoon and Corporal Gilbert was one of two soldiers who volunteered to seek out the enemy emplacement under the cover of night.

            They found the enemy placement and Gilbert's partner was killed shortly after he opened fire on it.  Gilbert then charged the emplacement from the rear and "with two accurately placed grenades succeeded in killing two of the enemy and putting the weapon out of action.  Fire from another hostile position on the flank killed Corporal Gilbert as he withdrew."

            Gilbert's platoon was spared further casualties by his actions.

            According to Major General Witsell, the Green Lane soldier "lived up to the highest traditions of gallantry in the service to his country."

            Gilbert is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France.

            Finding the photograph, 74 years after Gilbert's heroic action, provided an opportunity to remember the local soldier and his heroic deed,

            The photograph will be returned to the family at the January meeting of the Green Lane Borough Council.