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| Graham McLeod Sibbles
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| NO. 17686 • 22 April 1928 - 11 February 1995
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| Died 11 February 1995 in Coral Gables, Fl. Cremated
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GRAHAM McLEOD SIBBLES, "Sib" to many of us, was born in East
St. Louis. During his early years, his father's business caused the family to
move frequently. After three high schools, he graduated from Little Rock High
School in 1945. While enrolled in Louisiana State University, he received his
appointment to USMA. Arriving in July 1946, he began his distinguished 34 years
in uniform. He was blessed throughout with warm friendships and fond memories,
as testified to by the numerous recollections provided for this article.
As a cadet, Sib almost managed to conceal his keen intelligence behind a
genial smile and a dry wit, but he also frequently tutored his less gifted
classmates. He had a unique capability of rolling with the punches, seldom
allowing the TACs to get the better of him. He was on the Corps Squad wrestling
team his first three years and managed the team his First Class year, earning a
minor "A." A fine squash
player and an avid golfer, he also is remembered as a good overall athlete. He
was popular with his classmates and always ready for a good time.
After graduation, Sib attended Parachute School at Ft. Benning. At that
time, his family was living in Mobile, and he endeared himself to his
classmates by taking them home with him for a "Mobile-style"
shrimp dinner, complete with chicory coffee. After Ft. Benning, he joined the
505th Airborne Infantry
Regiment in the 82d Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg.
In October 1950, he married Nancy Lee Murray, whom he had met as a cadet,
at her home in New Haven, CT. The next year, while Sib was attending a short
course at the Infantry School at Ft. Benning, their oldest son, John, was born.
Sib joined many of his classmates in Korea and fought with the 2d Division's
38th Infantry Regiment, winning a Silver Star for bravery in combat. He also
earned a Combat Infantryman Badge and a Purple Heart and was medically
evacuated to the U.S.
In 1953, Sib was assigned to the faculty at the Infantry School and later
was a student at the Advanced Course and the Ranger School. Their second son,
David, was born at Ft. Benning and their daughter Susan joined them at their
next post with the 8th Division in Germany. In the '60s, Sib graduated from
CGSC, then from Mississippi State University, where he earned another
bachelor's degree and a master's degree in electrical engineering. After
serving on the Army General Staff in Washington, DC, he returned to combat in
Viet Nam, where he commanded a support battalion and an Infantry battalion in
the 196th Infantry Brigade. There, he was awarded his second Silver Star, the
Legion of Merit, and a second Combat Infantryman Badge.
After Viet Nam, he served in the Office of the Army Assistant Vice Chief
of Staff and attended the Army War College. He earned his Army aviator’s wings
in 1971, when he graduated from Helicopter School. He loved flying every bit as
much as he enjoyed his numerous command assignments along the way. That same
year, the Sibbles proceeded to Germany, where he commanded the 8th Division's
Support Command. He later served on the staff of Allied Forces, Central Europe.
During 1974-78, Graham was the DCSLOG at USMA, bringing his usual
enthusiasm to supporting the Corps of Cadets in a period of rapid change and
rising costs. Two areas that demanded a great deal of his attention were
manufacture of cadet uniforms and operation of the Cadet Mess Hall. Admission
of female cadets in 1976 required a myriad of preparations, all subject to the
closest scrutiny by the media and the public. Through it all, Sib maintained
his sense of humor and perspective in accomplishing the mission.
Again in Washington, Sib supervised
development of advanced electronic ideas at the Army's Readiness
Command (HQ DARCOM). He retired in 1980 and was awarded his second
Legion of Merit. Sib and Nan remained in their home in northern
Virginia, and Sib continued to use his extensive knowledge of Army
tactics and weaponry at Strategy Corporation in Alexandria. He
analyzed futuristic possibilities for ground force command and control, thereby contributing key elements to
a lengthy policy study for the Defense Department. He developed the entire
military rationale for a company’s multi-volume proposal to replace the
Army's Colt 45.
Direct and often innovative, in one instance
he almost blew it. Taking the prototype 9mm pistol to a nearby gold dealer to learn its precise weight, he walked in casually with a
plain paper bag and pulled out the pistol to explain his purpose. The merchant
blanched and reached for the panic button!
Later, Sib earned a Virginia Realtor License and - with his cordial
personality and persistence - competed successfully in this notoriously
tough sales field, despite a broad real estate slump in the '90s. His penchant
for neatness, attention to detail, and his methodical approach to problem
solving endeared him to clients and fellow agents, whom he unselfishly
assisted.
In 1994, Nan and Sib relocated to the Indian River Retirement Community
in Melbourne, FL. As his health began to fail, he demonstrated fortitude and
courage in his struggle with cancer. At his death, friends and family gathered
at their Melboume home to remember him. At the same time, a "wake"
was held by friends in northern Virginia.
He is remembered by his family as
a very patient, understanding, loving and supportive father. He was devoted to
Nan and the children and loved being a part of their lives - as they
loved being a part of his life.
In the words of a former roommate, "Sib will be missed by all who
came in contact with him. This red-headed southern gentleman had the
ability to accomplish anything he wanted to do, and his career certainly bears
that out." Husband, father, soldier, scholar, comrade - that was
Graham Sibbles.
- His family and classmates.
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USMA 1950