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Casualty Info
Home Town Alameda, CA
Last Address 527 Lander St Reno, NV
Casualty Date Jan 06, 1945
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Buried at Sea, Pacific Ocean
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
By the new year, 1945, USS Louisville (CA-28) was headed towards Lingayen Gulf. While en route on 5-6 January, two kamikazes headed for and scored on her. The first Kamikaze on January 5, 1945 hit the No. 2 main battery 8 inch 55 caliber gun knocking it completely out of commission killing one man with 17 injured/burned including Captain Rex LeGrande Hicks. The second Kamikaze on January 6, 1945 hit the starboard side signal bridge. 42 men were killed and 125 or more men were wounded.
S2c Gabrielli was one of the men killed.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 8846953
Bronze Star
Fearless and cool when one of several Japanese suicide planes plunged down on his seriously crippled vessel, Gabrielli gallantly remained at his battle station, maintaining steady fire at the approaching craft until it crashed against the starboard side of the ship near his position. Mortally wounded in the terrific explosion which followed, Gabrielli, by his determined fighting spirit and outstanding technical skill, had contributed to the defense of his ship throughout the hazardous, two-day engagement. His unfaltering devotion to duty during a period of strain and peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Western Caroline Islands Operation/Battle of Peleliu
From Month/Year
September / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, was fought between the United States and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II, from September–November 1944 on the island of Peleliu, present-day Palau. U.S. Marines of the First Marine Division and later soldiers of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division, fought to capture an airstrip on the small coral island. This battle was part of a larger offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June–November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Major General William Rupertus, USMC—commander of 1st Marine Division—predicted the island would be secured within four days. However, due to Japan's well-crafted fortifications and stiff resistance, the battle lasted over two months. In the United States, it was a controversial battle because of the island's questionable strategic value and the high casualty rate, which exceeded all other amphibious operations during the Pacific War. The National Museum of the Marine Corps called it "the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines".
