World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
John A. Abadie
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
New Orleans, Louisiana
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Private First Class. On October 19, 1942, he entered the United States Marine Corps from Louisiana, receiving his Marine Combat Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Served with Company-B as a Rifleman, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, a subordinate unit of the 2nd Marine ‘The Silent Second’ Division in the Central Pacific Theater of Operations. His division participated in the amphibious assault against the Imperial Japanese army forces on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll in the battle of Tarawa, Gilbert Islands (Battle Dates: November 20–November 23, 1943) Code Name: Operation Galvanic. Killed in Action Sunday, November 21, 1943 on the second day of the invasion, and buried in the Lone Palm Cemetery on Betio Island. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his family received his remains for burial, with interment at the Saint Roch Cemetery #1 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This Marine, an American Patriot, awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.