Fireman Second Class (F2c) Richard Paul Abbott
U.S. Navy ( 6012852)
On Board the USS Buck (DD-420)
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Richard Paul Abbott was born March 1, 1926, in Rome, Oneida County, New York, the first of two sons born to Walter Wood (1894-1954) and Marian A. Fitzgibbons (1900-1981) Abbott. Jack R. Abbott, the second son, was born May 6, 1927, and died May 1, 2009. Jack also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. According to the US Census Record of 1930, both parents were born in New York. Walter W. Abbott was an attorney, judge, and mayor, and Marian was a housewife.
Richard was a Rome, NY, carrier for the Utica Daily Press newspaper prior to volunteering for service in the U.S. Navy. He attended Cook Academy Prep School in Montour Falls, NY, and Rome Free Academy in Rome, NY, prior to his enlistment.
Richard enlisted in the US Navy Reserve (USNR) in Albany, New York, on March 1, 1943, his 17th birthday.
From Daily Sentinel, Rome NY, 31 Oct 44, page 2
On June 9, 1943, F2c Abbott was granted leave after completing basic training at the Sampson U.S. Naval Training Station in Sampson, New York. In July 1943, he was assigned to the Motor Machinist School of the U.S. Navy at South Richmond, Virginia.
From Daily Sentinel Rome NY 9 Jun 43 pg 2
From Daily Sentinel Rome NY 2 Jul 43 pg 2
He was a Fireman 3rd Class (F3c) on board the USS Buck (DD-420) on September 11, 1943, when she set out to sea from the New York Navy Yard.
USS Buck (DD-420)
Navy fire controlmen 1st, 2nd and 3rd class, were divided into FC(M) (maintenance) and FC(R) (repair). They took charge of guns and gun crews, assembled and repaired ships' guns and small arms, and handled and stowed ammunition.
On August 3, 1943, the USS Buck (DD-420) attacked and sank the Italian submarine Argento off Pantellaria and took 45 crewmen as prisoners. The USS Buck (DD-420) received three battle stars for her WWII service.
In the early morning of October 9, 1943, the USS Buck (DD-420) was torpedoed by German U-Boat 616 and sunk while on anti-submarine patrol south of the Isle of Capri in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The severity of the explosion caused the ship to sink rapidly. All survivors believe the torpedo struck the starboard side even with the bridge; the bow sank immediately and the stern sank within five minutes. After the stern sank, there was a second explosion which was probably a depth charge. A thorough search for survivors was made that day by other American vessels. The crew consisted of 262 officers and men; there were 94 survivors.
Richard was declared missing in action when the USS Buck was sunk. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno, Citta Metropolitana de Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy.
Tablets of the Missing
His parents placed a memorial marker for Richard at the Rome Cemetery, Rome, New York.
Richard was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously as well as the Rome, NY, Medal of Honor (above right).
Rome, NY, Medal of Honor https://www.omsa.org/files/jomsa_arch/Splits/1992/78102_JOMSA_Vol43_5_28.pdf
Legion Honors Richard P. Abbott, Daily Sentinel, Rome, New York, Wednesday Evening, January 29, 1947
Commander Robert McMahon announced today that Post 5 of the Legion of Guardsmen will be known as the Richard Paul Abbott Post of Rome, New York. Richard Paul Abbott was the son of Judge and Mrs. Walter W. Abbott of 704 Elm Street. He served on the USS Buck as fireman 2nd class and gave his life for his country when the USS Buck was torpedoed off the Island of Capri in June 1943.
WWII – United States Navy at War; United States Navy Casualties https://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNbyNAMEA.htm
ABBOTT, Rich P, F2, 6012852, USS Buck (DD-420), torpedoed off Salerno, October 9, 1943, (CasCode6221) missing, later declared dead, dd October 10, 1944 (bp5) +
ABBOTT, Richard P, F2, 6012852, USNR, from New York, USS Buck, location Tyrrhenian Sea, missing, date of loss October 9, 1943 (pm) + ABBOTT, Richard P, Fireman Second Class, 6012852, USN, from New York, Oct-44, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery (bm) + ABBOTT, Richard, F2c, USN, Buck DD-420, October 9, 1943 (nm) + ABBOTT, Richard Paul, Fireman 2c, USNR. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wood Abbott, 203 W. Dominick St., Rome, NY (na)
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112930261/richard_paul-abbott: accessed February 17, 2024), memorial page for F2C Richard Paul Abbott (1 Mar 1926–9 Oct 1943), Find a Grave Memorial ID 112930261, citing Rome Cemetery, Rome, Oneida County, New York, USA; Maintained by Ronald E Schuler (contributor 47631330).
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112930261/richard_paul-abbott: accessed February 17, 2024), memorial page for F2C Richard Paul Abbott (1 Mar 1926–9 Oct 1943), Find a Grave Memorial ID 112930261, citing Rome Cemetery, Rome, Oneida County, New York, USA; Maintained by Ronald E Schuler (contributor 47631330).
End notes: This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars Project, a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3 web sites. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery. If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact Carol Hillerson at hillerson@beyondbb.com.
Date: 2/17/2024
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