Silas J. Gilbert was born on June 27, 1918 in McKey, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma. He was the son of Thomas Franklin Gilbert and Hattie Beatrice Gilbert. He attended Empire High School. Silas entered the Army in 1942. He trained at Camp Claiborne and Camp Bouguard LA. He went overseas in December 1943. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Corporal in the 1st Infantry Division. He had served in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. He was Killed in Action on November 30, 1944 in Germany at the age of 26 and is now buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma, USA.