Abbott, William Edwin

Date of birth:: June 29th, 1925 (St. Joseph/Missouri, United States)
Date of death:: December 12th, 1944
Mentioned on:: American Cemetery and Memorial Manila
Nationality:: American

Biography

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class
Unit:: Patrol-Bombing Squadron 104 (VPB-104), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:: December 1944

"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."

VPB-104 File P15 MM: Serial 051 (posthumously awarded