after a promising start to his baseball career, riebe was drafted into the u.s. army after the 1942 season ended. he served in the 66th infantry division in europe. on christmas eve 1944, riebe was aboard the headed for cherbourg, france, when it was sunk by torpedoes fired by a german u-boat. riebe floated in the icy water of the english channel and a coast guard cutter pulled him out. over 750 american troops lost their lives in the sinking of the leopoldville. riebe was awarded a purple heart medal for injuries suffered in the leopoldville sinking and later served with the 66th infantry as it moved across europe. in the spring of 1945, riebe was injured by shrapnel from german artillery, earning his second purple heart award.