Print plaque Printing Tips

World War II Honoree

Civilian on the Home Front

Philip H. Abelson

Hometown

Tacoma, Washington

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

HE WAS AS A PHYSICIST WITH THE NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, WHERE HE DEVELOPED A PROCESS TO SEPARATE ISOTOPES OF URANIUM. THIS RESEARCH WAS APPLIED TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE ATOMIC BOMB IN THE MANHATTAN PROJECT. IN 1944, BARELY PAST HIS 30TH BIRTHDAY, HE WAS PUT IN CHARGE OF THE NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY IN PHILADELPHIA. AMONG OTHER THINGS, HE DEVISED A WAY TO APPLY NUCLEAR ENERGY TO LOCOMOTION. FOR HIS WORK, HE RECEIVED THE NAVY DISTINGUISHED CIVILIAN SERVICE MEDAL IN 1945, THE FIRST OF MANY HONORS.