IBE, JOHN G.

IBE, JOHN G. John G. Ibe, 84 Businessman, Real Estate Developer, and WWII Veteran John G. Ibe was born on December 18, 1921 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. John went to parochial elementary school and Sheboygan Central High all in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He served his apprenticeship as a tool and die maker at Charles School Machine Co. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin completing this apprenticeship in March, 1943. That same year he entered the U.S. Navy as an apprentice Seaman.

John was a WWII combat Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Saint Lo CVE 63. He survived the sinking of his ship at the Battle of Leyte Gulf off Samar, Philippines on October 25, 1944. His was the first ship sunk by Japanese kamikaze pilots.

On November 15, 1945, he was honorably discharged in Bremerton, Washington as a machinist mate 2/c to return to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and continue his trade as a tool and die maker. In 1954, his family moved to San Diego, California continuing his career. In 1955 he founded Lamco, Inc., a tool and die company that included light manufacturing. The company grew from two employees to over three hundred.

During his illustrious career, John contributed to the nuclear and commercial aircraft and missile industry over twenty years of expertise in design and manufacturing with many prominent projects for such clients as General Electric (DC10 jet engines) Westinghouse, McDonnell Douglas, Bechtel, and AeroJet General. In 1977, John sold his controlling interest in the company and today we are all flying on commercial jet airliners that John supplied machined parts for and we are all utilizing power in our homes supplied from nuclear power plants using parts from John and his company.

In 1978, he formed a father/ son real estate development and construction company. After 24 years, this firm has become a major national real estate company developing and managing over six million square feet of commercial property all across North America. Many of the projects were designed and built for the US government such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security.

John was a man with inspiration and passion. He had tremendous energy and fortitude. He was truly a role model for all who knew him and respected him. For someone as important to his community as John was, he was a humble man. All his life John was dedicated to projects and events to honor his shipmates and all veterans. He was one of the founders of the Taffy III veterans group and for the past 13 years he has been the driving force in many charitable programs. Some of these in San Diego included the erection of the US Aircraft Carrier Memorial on Harbor Drive, the Taffy III monument at the G Street Mall, the USS San Diego monument, and the Navy Homecoming statue. He chaired the commissioning of the USS Pearl Harbor and at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, five monuments were erected to forever memorialize the 894 men killed in action at the Battle of Leyte Gulf during WWII; as well as the installation of their outdoor chapel sound system which most importantly, sounds Taps at the close of every day.

Task Unit 77.4.3, aka Taffy III, made the decision to sponsor a military tribute to Bob Hope which is nearing completion. John also had plans for a new National Veterans Cemetery in San Diego. He was looking forward to the challenge of raising millions of dollars to provide a chapel and numerous monuments and memorials for this new cemetery.

John's legacy will always be remembered by his hard work, honesty, and overwhelming generosity. His love for family and friends was his priority in life. He was willing to help people in need and give everyone an opportunity in life.

John has been married for 63 years to his loving wife Marie. In addition to his wife, survivors include daughter Sandra of El Cajon, his son Michael and daughter-in-law Linda of Rancho Santa Fe, four grandchildren, Mike Jr. of Dallas, Mindee of Carlsbad, Steve Jr. of Temecula, and Scott of Temecula. There are three great grandchildren; Wesley, Shane, and Taylor. He also leaves behind a sister Marie Heibing, a sister Emily Larsen, and a brother Adam.

In lieu of flowers, family members ask that donations in memory of John Ibe may be made to the Home of Guiding Hands at 1825 Gillespie Way, Suite 200, El Cajon, CA 92020. 619-938-2855.

In Memory

We have lost a great leader, John Ibe, an Honorable Man. He was the God Father of Task Unit 77.4.3   also known as Taffy-3. If not for John Ibe, there wouldn’t be any memorials, honoring our Lost in Action, in Fort. Rosecrans National Cemetery. There wouldn’t be many reports by authors and the media, of our impossible task of turning the Japanese monster fleet off Samar Island in the Philippines. Because of our actions and the intervention of the all mighty God, many lives of our Army troops and landing craft personnel did not come under the gunfire of Four Japanese Battleships with up to 18 inch guns and their accompanying Seven Cruisers and Eleven Destroyers.
Thousands of Army casualties were avoided. But Task Unit Taffy-3 lost 850 men in less than two hours of combat.
John Ibe was a very compassionate man, he never forgot our shipmates who didn’t return home to loved ones. He led us in erecting memorials to our fallen brothers. “I shall not forget,” was a  firm commitment  with John Ibe, Not an idle  comment.

In Memory of Taffy-3 Shipmates Lost at Sea

It has been stated in numerous ways, by a great number of Authors, Historians, and Survivors: “After vicious sea battles, when ships are sunk, there is little left to view.  The waters close over and the sea swallows the debris, with the broken and bleeding bodies of shipmates.  There are no funerals, there are no honor guards with ceremonies and prayers, and there are no grave markers or memorials.  The sea forever conceals the slaughter of battle.”  Historians may remember the battle, but the names of persons lost in combat are soon forgotten, except by those who lost family and their shipmates.

For those who survived a vicious sea battle and two days adrift in the shark infested waters, the memory of dismembered bodies, spilled blood and vicious shark attacks, on dear friends, are forever etched in their memories.

Many years after the nightmare, of the sea battle off the island of Samar, in the Philippines, survivors began to came together at ship reunions, to honor their lost in action shipmates. Inspired by John Ibe, a survivor from the USS St. Lo (CVE-63), plans were formulated, to erect numerous memorials in memory of the Killed in Action, from our Task Unit 77.4.3 better known as Taffy 3, by engraving their names into granite memorials, and placing them in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, at Point Loma, San Diego, California.

Today their names are together, they are present in spirit, in a National Cemetery.  This cemetery in southern California is the closest, in our United States to the Battle Scene, where the heroes of Taffy-3 rest in eternal sleep, off the shore of Samar, Philippines.

After 50 years, we could no longer wait for our Federal government to Honor our Killed in Action.  We, inspired by John Ibe, a survivor from the USS St. Lo, proceeded to erect the monuments. John’s firm produced the engineering drawings and over saw the projects for us, pro bono.

Funds were raised from among our Killed in Action and Deceased Shipmates Families, and survivors from the ships of Task Unit 77.4.3 (Taffy 3), to erect the monuments.

Patriotism, belief in God and Country, honoring those we lost in combat, are remembered, thanks to our departed shipmate John Ibe, may his soul rest in peace with the Lord.

-Tony P.

Presidential Unit
Citation

Philippine Presidential
Citation

WW II Victory

American Campaign

Asiatic-Pacific
Campaign

Philippine
Liberation