World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Philip D. Abbey
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Peoria County, Illinois
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: PRIVATE. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY FEBRUARY 10, 1943 AT PEORIA, ILLINOIS. HE WAS A PARATROOPER WHO JUMPED INTO FRANCE IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944, OPERATION OVERLOAD, INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE. SERVED WITH REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS, 3RD BATTALION, 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1944 IN THE VICINITY OF BAUPTE, FRANCE DURING THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY AND IS BURIED IN THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. HIS DIVISION WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH A BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN FOURRAGERE OF 1940 AND THE ORANGE LANYARD OF THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES.