George W. Gibbs Jr - was the first person of African descent to set foot on Antarctica (the South Pole). He was also a civil rights leader and World War II Navy gunner. On October 11, 2009, George Gibbs Elementary School opened in Rochester, Minnesota, named in his honor.

Gibbs served on Admiral Richard Byrd’s third expedition to the South Pole in 1939-1941, becoming the first African American to reach Antarctica. From more than 2,000 Navy applicants, Gibbs was among the 40 chosen to accompany Byrd in this history making expedition, sailing on the USS Bear. The USS Bear was a floating museum before the old wooden vessel was specially outfitted for the South Pole expedition. Gibbs was a member of the crew that supported the ice party. He was the first person off the ship to set foot on Antarctica on January 14, 1941.
In 1966 George Gibbs helped organize the Rochester Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and worked for civil rights both locally and nationally. He also served as president of the Rochester Kiwanis and the Rochester chapter of the Minnesota Alumni Association. Gibbs was presented with the George Gibbs Humanitarianism Award by the Rochester, Minnesota branch of the NAACP, just one of many honors he received in his life.
In 1974 Gibbs applied for membership to the Rochester Elks Club. He made national news when the Club initially denied him entry. He was the first African American to apply to the local club and helped break the color barrier at service clubs in Rochester.

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Following the war, Gibbs returned to college and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.