MG (Ret.) R. Cliffton Gibbs, ’58

Major General Gibbs was born 17 October 1935 in Fremont, Ohio. Raised after age 5 in Columbus, he graduated from North High School in 1953 and then entered Ohio State University where he graduated with a BSc in Business Administration from the College of Business and JD from the College of Law in December, 1958. While at OSU he was a ROTC cadet, a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned as a 2d LT in the U.S. Army Reserve upon graduation.

After active Army service, he returned to Columbus in December, 1959 and entered the practice of law with Nappi, Cunningham & Burns in February, 1960, a firm which as Cunningham, Gibbs & Cavalieri merged with the firm of Arter & Hadden LLP in October, 1983 where he is a retired partner, now of counsel with the firm, and additionally, counsel to the Bundy Companies.

He served in the Army Reserve from February, 1960 until his retirement in September, 1996, serving at various times as a platoon leader, detachment and company commander, battalion administrative officer (S-1), battalion intelligence officer (S-2), battalion supply officer (S-4) and battalion operations officer (S-3). He served as battalion executive officer, battalion commander, and group commander. In the then major Army Reserve headquarters in Ohio, the 83d Army Reserve Command, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff (G-2), Inspector General, Assistant Chief of Staff (G-3), Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Intelligence, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and Administration, Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander and Commander.

After basic and advanced officer courses, he graduated from the Command and General Staff College, the Army War College and senior courses in chemical warfare and force integration.

He was promoted to Colonel in 1978, Brigadier General in 1988 and Major General in 1992. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Metal with three OLC, the Army Commendation Metal and a number of service awards.

He is a member of the Columbus, Ohio State and American Bar Associations, the American Judicature Society, Association of the United States Army, Reserve Officers Association of the United States and Senior Army Reserve Commanders Association.