World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
Thomas A. Ablai
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Lazear, Colorado
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Private. Inducted into the United States Army November 5, 1942 at Pueblo, Colorado. After completing the required training phases, he was deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations. He served as a Rifleman, assigned to the 129th Infantry Regiment, and a subordinate unit of the 37th Infantry ‘Buckeye’ Division, attached to the U.S. Sixth Army. His division participated in the Battle-of-Luzon Island, landing on the shores of Lingayen Gulf. Friday, February 1945 he was killed in action, during offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Armed forces. Personnel from a Grave Registration Company buried him in the United States Armed Forces Battlefield Cemetery, Manila #1, Philippine Islands. In the post-war era, this Soldier’s family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at the Manila American Cemetery Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.