Gilbert “GIB” Bolton. Marine Gunner (ret)

Gilbert “Gib“ Bolton

The epitome of the iconic Marine. Gunner Bolton is a Marine infantry legend. A native Ohioan high school football standout, he left school and joined the Corps after his senior season in 1959. Excelling in the craft of the infantryman, Bolton completed his first four years preparing for war. Upon promotion to Sergeant, Bolton headed to San Diego for two years of drill instructor duty training Marine recruits. In late 1966 this motivated NCO was on his way to Vietnam, where he would be thrust into combat on Operation Desoto. His tour would challenge him in every way imaginable and towards the end of his 13-month tour, he would survive a vicious VC attack bent on annihilating his company. He would leave Vietnam in 1968 with a battlefield commission and silver star. The rest of his life has been committed to teaching Marine NCOs leadership in combat and telling the story of the heroic boys he lost along the way. The father of the Marine Corps Combat Leaders Course at Camp Pendleton, this man is still active in Marine Corps NCO leadership community.

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