Gilbert “Wimp” Rice, Army, Korean War and oldest resident of Knapp, WI
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Gilbert “Wimp” Rice
By Missy Klatt
At 95 years old, Gilbert “Wimp” Rice is the oldest resident of Knapp. He is also a Korean war veteran who served from 1950-1953.
Wimp was born in Menomonie but grew up in Eau Claire. He was the second oldest in a family of five boys and one girl. Tragically his mom died of cancer when he was eight years old and he and his siblings were shipped out to foster homes. He did say that they did know where each other was which was nice. Wimp went through the eighth grade and then joined the work force. He recalled at that time his foster parents couldn’t afford to send him to school because at that time there were no buses so you had to find your own way to school.
He made his way to Knapp in 1945 when he started working at the Creamery and he’s lived in his current house for 60 years.
After his time in the service Wimp worked construction for 35 years. Then when he retired he ended up working part time at Century Fence for another 15 years unloading trucks and answering phones.
When asked about the nickname Wimp and where he got that name, Wimp replied “I don’t know. I’ve been called that ever since I’ve been in the second grade and where it come from I don’t know.” He continues by saying that guys from around here that were in the service with him in the same company called him that and he said pretty soon the whole company was calling him Wimp, even the captain.
Wimp states that he kind of enlisted in the U.S. Army. He figured he was going to get drafted anyway so he went ahead and volunteered. He thought by volunteering he might have a little bit of an advantage but he remarks “I didn’t make much rank because the rank was froze 99 percent of the time when I was in there.” Wimp ended up being a PFC (Private First Class).
Medals- Wimp Rice has a display of medals that he earned while serving in Korea.
Wimp did his basic training in North Carolina and some in Colorado. After his training he had a 15 day furlough. He came home during that time before he had to report back to San Francisco. From there he was shipped over to Korea. During his time in Korea he was with the 10th Corps and attached to the 25th infantry. He was a gunner with the artillery.
Wimp saw a lot of action while he was over there but prefers not to talk about it. He lost four good buddies while he was there.
Wimp comments that the military was what you made of it. “It could be rough or it could be good.” He considered it like having a job, that’s the way he looked at it. One bright spot when he was over there was that he was able to go to Japan for R & R (rest and relaxation).
All of Wimp’s brother served in the service. His youngest brother was in Korea after the war was all over but another brother was also stationed in Korea during the war and two of his brothers were in Germany during the Korean war. One of his brothers enlisted but the others were all drafted. Today Wimp and his youngest brother who lives in the cities are the only ones left of his siblings.
Wimp has been a member of the Matson-Miller Legion Post 330 out of Wilson for 30 plus years. He comments that after he retired he would go to parades, memorials and funerals with the Legion. He would also participate in Memorial Day activities.
Wimp and his late bride, Vivian, of almost 64 years had two daughters and one son. Wimp also has four granddaughters, four great granddaughters and two great grandsons.