World War II Honoree

Felix Gabaccia

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Copake, New York

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps July 23, 1942 at New York City, New York, with recruit training assigned to the Tenth Recruit Battalion Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base at Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp, he was transferred to Camp Geiger, North Carolina for combat training. Served with the Third Marine Division in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. His division participated in the Battle of Bougainville (Battle Dates: November 1, 1943–August 21, 1945), Solomon Islands Campaign, Code Name: Operation Cherry Blossom. Reported missing in action, lost at sea November 3, 1943 on the third day of the invasion. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery, located at Fort William-McKinley, Philippine Islands. His missing in action status was amended to read killed in action January 11, 1946. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.