Yutaka Gibbons

Yutaka Miller Gibbons (17 January 1944[1] – 4 November 2021) was the ibedul of Koror from 1973 until his death in 2021.

[4] He worked as a United States Army cook before becoming paramount chief and his sudden departure to become a member of nobility shocked members of his unit at the Presidio of San Francisco as well as others he had earlier served with in West Germany.

[2] He was then inducted as Ibedul in ceremonies that included washing his hands in turtle blood which he stated was for purification.

[2] Being Ibedul of Koror gave him authority over a large part of Babeldaob, the largest island in Palau.

[2] In 1979, a constitution was approved that prohibited the use, testing, storage or disposal of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons in Palau.

Gibbons c. 1978