This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Nicole Summers, MMFN
to remember
Abbott, William Edwin, AD3.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Peoria, IL
Last Address 1306 North University Peoria, Ill (mother: Lillian Dell Abbott)
Casualty Date Dec 12, 1944
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Other Cause
Location Brunei
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates Tablets of the Missing (Cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Image
Navy Cross - 1944
Name of Award Navy Cross
Year Awarded 1944
Last Updated: Oct 4, 2015
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class William Edwin Abbott (NSN: 7550232), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as a Member of the Crew of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED FOUR (VPB-104). On 12 December 1944, Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class Abbott, as first mechanic on a Navy Liberator on armed combat patrol, penetrating a thousand miles into enemy territory over northwest Borneo, salvaged enough fuel from a gas line tank pierced by savage enemy fire, to enable his plane to return to its base. In so doing he braved intense fumes, until unconscious, he fell to his death. He thereby sacrificed his life for those of his fellow crew members. His action showed undaunted courage, fierce tenacity, an absolute disregard for personal safety and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
General Orders: VPB-104 File P15 MM: Serial 051 (December 22, 1944)
