World War II Honoree

Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Springfield, Massachusetts

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

Graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1936. He commanded the 37th Tank Battalion in the 4th Armored Division, participating in the Normandy Invasion and the sweep of General George S. Patton's Third Army across western Europe. At the Battle of Arracourt, in September 1944, he participated in one of the largest tank-to-tank engagements of the war; his battalion lost 14 Shermans while knocking out 55 German Panther and Tiger tanks and driving back a German counterattack. His most-dramatic action came at Bastogne, Belgium, where the Germans had encircled the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge (December 16, 1944-January 16, 1945). His battalion was the first element of the Third Army to break through the siege, on December 26, 1944. For his heroics in these engagements, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.