The current guardian of this Remembrance Page is Griffin Colvin-Family.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page,
please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s)
HERE
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates 06E 124
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
He was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on April 20, 1966. CDR Abbott was reported to have died in captivity 7 days later, on April 27, 1966. He was posthumously promoted to Captain, and his remains were returned to the United States on March 13, 1974 and Identified in April 17, 1974 Capt Abbott is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Name of Award
Prison of War Medal
Year Awarded
1966
Details behind Award:
Commander John Abbott (NSN: 0-505134), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 20, 1966 until his death in captivity on or about April 27, 1966.
Action Date: April 20 - 27, 1966
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Division: Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)
Comments/Citation:
Name of Award
Distiguished Flying Cross X5
Years Awarded
1950
1952
1965
1966
1966
Details behind Awards:
Awarded for actions during the Korean War
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign John Abbott (NSN: 0-505134), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights in the Korean Theater during the period 4 July to 25 September 1950. As a pilot of a fighter plane, Ensign Abbott participated in thirty-five strike missions over enemy territory.
Action Date: July 4 - September 25, 1950
Service: Navy
Rank: Ensign
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Abbott (NSN: 0-505134), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement and distinguished leadership while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a fighter aircraft attached to Fighter Squadron FIFTY-THREE (VF-53), based on board the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), during attacks against enemy forces over hostile North Korean territory on 15 January 1952. As Division Leader of a flak-suppression element escorting attack bombers on a strike mission against an important and heavily defended rail and supply center near Yangdok, North Korea, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Abbott preceded the attack bombers into the target area and with utter disregard for his own personal safety and in the face of extremely intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, led his team in repeated bombing and strafing attacks against these anti-aircraft gun positions which were concealed in treacherous mountain terrain. His aggressiveness, courageous leadership and outstanding airmanship enabled his division to suppress the flak so thoroughly that no damage was sustained by the attack bomber elements during their attacks. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Abbott personally destroyed three heavy gun positions and silenced several others. His gallant and untiring devotion to duty was at all time in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: January 15, 1952
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Company: Fighter Squadron 53 (VF-53)
Division: U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Commander John Abbott (NSN: 0-505134), United States Navy, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Strike Leader and Pilot of an attack aircraft attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113), in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), during operations in the Republic of Vietnam against the Viet Cong on 22 December 1965.
Action Date: 22-Dec-65
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Company: Attack Squadron 113 (VA-113)
Division: U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Commander John Abbott (NSN: 0-505134), United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Division Leader and Pilot of an attack aircraft attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113), in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), in operations against a vital bridge in North Vietnam on 20 April 1966.
Action Date: 20-Apr-66
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Company: Attack Squadron 113 (VA-113)
Division: U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Commander John Abbott (NSN: 0-505134), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Attention! The dates you selected for being assigned to this Unit are outside the 1945 to 1954 we believe this Unit was in existence. Can you please re-check your dates and click HERE if you wish to amend these? If you believe your Unit was in existence during your selected dates, please let us know at admin@togetherweserved.com.
USS VALLEY FORGE (CV-45) (later CVA-45, CVS-45 and LPH-8)
CLASS - ESSEX (Long Hull) AKA TICONDEROGA
Displacement 27,100 Tons, Dimensions, 888' (oa) x 93' x 28' 7" (Max)
Armament 12 x 5"/38AA, 32 x 40mm, 46 x 20mm, 82 Aircraft.
Armor, 4" Belt, 2 1/2" Hanger deck, 1 1/2" Deck, 1 1/2" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 150,000 SHP; Westinghouse Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 3448.
Essex Class (*) Aircraft Carrier
Ordered
Laid down
Launched
Commissioned
Decommissioned
Stricken
14 June 1943
14 Sept. 1943
21 Nov. 1945
3 Nov. 1946
15 Jan. 1970
15 Jan. 1970
Builder: Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA
(*) "Long Hull" group, aka Ticonderoga Class
Named for a locality in Chester County, PA, where the Continental Army suffered bitter cold and privation during the winter of 1777–1778 while British troops basked in warmth and plenty in nearby Philadelphia. Yet, because of the inspiring example of leaders like George Washington and skillful training by drill instructors like Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben, the American Army emerged from its winter encampment with renewed self confidence, courage, and fighting ability. The name Valley Forge has since become a symbol of the triumph of American patriotism and self-sacrifice.
Valley Forge was built with money raised by the citizens of Philadelphia in a special war bond drive.
Reclassified as an "Attack Aircraft Carrier" and redesignated CVA-45, 1 Oct 1952.
Modified at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA, and reclassified as an "Antisubmarine Warfare Support Aircraft Carrier" (CVS-45), 1 Jan 1954.
Converted to an "Amphibious Assault Ship (Helicopter)" at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA, Mar–Jul 1961. Reclassified LPH-8, 1 Jul 1961. Valley Forge was the third and last Essex-class carrier converted to an LPH, and her conversion was more austere than the other two — Boxer (CV-21 / LPH-4) and Princeton (CV-37 / LPH-5).
Fate: Sold for scrapping to Nicolai Joffre Corp., Beverly Hills, CA, 29 Oct 1971.
Named For:
CV-45 was named for a locality in Chester County, PA, where the Continental Army suffered bitter cold and privation during the winter of 1777–1778 while British troops basked in warmth and plenty in nearby Philadelphia. Yet, because of the inspiring example of leaders like George Washington and skillful training by drill instructors like Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben, the American Army emerged from its winter encampment with renewed self confidence, courage, and fighting ability. The name Valley Forge has since become a symbol of the triumph of American patriotism and self-sacrifice. (Text from DANFS [Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.])
Other Memories LT Abbott served at NAS Olathe, Kansas, from January to December 1955, and then served with the Navy ROTC detachment at Yale University from December 1955 to September 1956. He served with the Service School Command at NS Great Lakes, Illinois, from September 1956 to June 1957, and then served as air operations officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge (CVS-45) from June 1957 to August 1959.
YN Pierson, Al (USview, NTWS Chief Admin ), YN2 
7756 
Griffin Colvin-Family.
