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Born in Lincoln, Illinois, and educated in public schools
in that community and later, following his family's move to
Colorado, in the public schools in south Denver, Colorado and
Colorado College at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Gambrel compiled
a fine scholastic record while at the same time earning letters
on the track and football teams of the several schools. Graduated,
he entered the advertising field working for the Rocky Mountain
News and simultaneously serving as Advertising Manager for the
Chamber of Commerce in his home community.
With the outbreak of World War I he entered
the service as a private in an infantry company and subsequently
rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He saw action in Europe with
the 104th Infantry and was awarded the Croix de Guerre, one
of the first AEF members to receive this high honor. He was
also cited for bravery in orders of the 26th Division.
Following the way he returned to Denver and
1932 moved to Kansas City where he formed an insurance partnership
which eventually became one of the big insurance businesses
in Kansas City.
At the time of his death he was a partner in
the firm of Mann, Kerdolff, Kline and Welsh, a firm handling
insurance coverage for industrial plants, steamship lines, air
lines, etc. throughout the United States.
In 1935, Gambrel was a very active leader in
The American Legion, along with leaders from other states, traveled
to Springfield, Illinois, to study the newly formed Illinois
Boys State. Three years later he, along with three other dedicated
Missouri American Legion leaders, founded Missouri Boys State
and he served as the first Director thereof. Until his death
in 1962 he maintained an active interest in the organization
and served on the Boys State Executive Committee from the day
of its inception.
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