WILLIAM PAUL RIEBSAME

SGT. MAJ. WILLIAM "RIP" PAUL RIEBSAME, 70, 2700 N. A1A, Indialantic, died Saturday, April 30. Mr. Riebsame was an Army veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. He also was a retired administrative assistant for the Civil Service at Patrick Air Force Base. Born in Philadelphia, he moved to Central Florida in 1964. A member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Indialantic, he also belonged to the Melbourne Central Catholic Booster Club, Knights of Columbus and the Board of the Palm Colony Club Condominium Association. Survivors: wife, Ina M.; daughter, Terri McCrudden, Palm Bay; son, Dr. William III, Melbourne; brother, Donald, Palm Bay; sister, Betty Ray, Philadelphia; four grandchildren. Davis Funeral Home, Melbourne.

[The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, FL, 02 May 1994, Mon, Page 18]

[courtesy Chriss Gifford]

Grave marker of William Paul Riebsame in the Garden of Apostles in Fountainhead Memorial Park, Palm Bay (Brevard County), Florida.

William registered for the draft in Philadelphia, PA on 30 June 1942 and was inducted into the Army in that same city on 30 January 1943 and following jump school was assigned to Company F, 508th PIR.

He was promoted to Cpl on 9 October 1944.

SSgt Riebsame was transferred to the 504th PIR on 20 October 1945 and was discharged on 5 January 1946.

However, he reentered service on 3 September 1947.

William applied for the Pennsylvania WWII Veterans Bonus on 18 February 1950.  He was credited with 16 months of domestic duty and 19 months of foreign service yielding a $445 bonus award.

Following his tour under Operation Gyroscope, MSgt Riebsame arrived at Hickham AFB, Hawaii in transit to Travis AFB, CA with his wife and daughter from Tokyo, Japan on MATS Flt 1632 on 31 March 1955.

After a tour of duty in Europe,  Sgt Riebsame arrived in New York, NY from Bremerhaven, Germany with his wife and 2 children aboard the SS United States on 15 November 1962.

He continued his career through the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He ultimately retied as a Sergeant Major.