First Lieutenant Gottlieb Ruby, a dedicated and courageous leader, enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1941, months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Known for his strong sense of duty and leadership, Gottlieb was soon selected for Officer Candidate School. His journey to the front lines began with a voyage aboard the Queen Mary from New York to England, where he and his unit prepared for the pivotal D-Day invasion. Just three days after D-Day, they landed near Cherbourg, France, and began an intense campaign that would lead them through France and into Germany, eventually joining General Patton’s legendary 3rd Army.

Fluent in German, Gottlieb was entrusted with interrogating prisoners of war, a role he approached with a sense of humanity, often noting that other interrogators lacked compassion. His bravery and service were marked by sacrifice; he was wounded in combat and spent 18 months recovering in the hospital. For his exceptional courage, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Gottlieb’s commitment to his country was shared by his six brothers, all sons of Johannes Ruby, who served across various branches, including the California Army National Guard, the U.S. Army, and the Military Police. By the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, four of the seven brothers had already enlisted, driven by a shared resolve to protect the freedoms that had eluded their ancestors. Six of the brothers served overseas simultaneously, enduring the harsh realities of war and leaving a lasting legacy of dedication and resilience for future generations.