Grave marker for Gilbert D. Sprague in Edgewood Cemetery, Edgewood (Delaware county), Iowa.

Gilbert registered for the draft in Arlington, IA on 30 June 1942.  He was inducted into the Army on 15 June 1944 and was initially assigned to the 17th Airborne Division before being transferred to the 508th PIR

He re-enlisted on 6 October 1945 and returned to the U.S. in November 1945,  He began a second overseas tour on 20 February 1946 which lasted until 4 July 1948. and was discharged on 9 July 1948.

On 10 May 1949, Gilbert submitted this application for the Iowa WWII Veterans Bonus.  He was credited with 31 months of domestic duty and 19 months of foreign service netting him a $357.50 bonus award.