Gilmon D. Brooks
June 24, 1925 ~ June 19, 2017 (age 91) 91 Years OldShare using:
Gilmon was born Warren Gilmon Talbert on June 24, 1925 in Madison, WI to parents, Madeline”Madge” Mosley and Philip Talbert. At the age of 3, his parents died within months of each other. Gilmon was taken in by relatives when he arrived in Ft. Huachuca in Tombstone, AZ.
Gilmon lived through the Depression where only the basic needs were met by family and relatives. As a teen he attended Tombstone High school in 1941, and then enrolled in UCLA. During his Junior year he was approached by a US Marine recruiter to become part of the first all Black Unit formed to serve in WWII.
He enlisted in October 1943 and traveled to Montford Point Marine Base, Jackson, NC. He completed boot camp which was described as “six weeks of pure Hell!!” He graduated as an honor Man of his platoon, promoted to Private 1st Class, and became an expert Marksman. He was wounded in the battle of Iwo Jima, received a Purple Heart, Bronze star for bravery and a National Service medal and was promoted. Of the 250 Marines that went to combat, only 27 marines survived.
He returned to duty in Europe and attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer III in the US Army in 1953. He Married the former Wealthy T. Cody in Orleans, France. From That union, a son was born, Jeffrey K. Brooks. Upon retirement from military service he received a 5th Army commendation Medal to round out his career. He initially became a Manager Trainee with Sears. Gilmon returned to Federal Service as a Personnel manager with Naval weapons Station Earle, and later selected to be a Civilian Personnel manager with US Army CECOM Fort Monmouth in 1974.
After retiring from Federal Service he was actively involved in activities in Neptune Township such as, Monmouth County and NJ School Boards, Drug Board, Scouting, Monmouth County Men’s Club, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Military Retirees Council, and The Montford Point Marines Association, Philadelphia Chapter. He is a recipient of The US Congressional Medal of Honor numerous civic awards and accommodations.
We will remember him for his love of Fine Dining, Elegant style of dress, Smooth and graceful Dancer (Once upon a time), Love of the game of Golf, Tennis, and an avid Bridge player and World traveler.
Surviving family members are his wife, Viola R. Brooks; son, Jeffrey K. Brooks (Toni) of North Brunswick, NJ; 2 grandchildren, Zachary D. Brooks and Marlo S. Brooks; former daughter-in-law, Judith Sandlin of Piscataway, NJ; 2 stepsons, Harold R. Shomo (Lenyse) of the US Virgin Islands and William J. Shomo (Janice) of Atlanta, GA; niece, Deborah Walden-Hoes; great niece, Curtistine Walden-Hoes from Northern CA area; and a host of close family, and friends that we consider family.
