 Abie
Abraham was born in Lyndora, Pa July 31, 1913. He enlisted in the army
in 1932.
S/Sgt. Abie Abraham was stationed during WWII with the 18th infantry in
New York; 3 years with the 14th infantry in Panama, there he was a
light-weight boxing champ and trainer; 15th Infantry, unassigned in
China, while the Paney was sunk; 30th Infantry, Presidio, San Francisco;
31st Infantry, Manila, Philippines, there for nine years. He fought ,
was captured, endured the Bataan Death March, as a POW for three and a
half years, was beaten, stabbed, shot, survived malaria and starvation
to be rescued by the 6th Rangers. He stayed behind at the request
of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, two and a half more years disinterring the
bodies of his fallen comrades, from the Death March and the prison
camps. He helped to identify their bodies and see that they were
properly laid to res.. M/Sgt Abraham was promoted in 1945. He came
back to the U.S, where he served as a recruiter. He also served a
few more years in Germany until his retirement, with 30 years of
service.
After the Army, he worked in Lyndora, Pa and for the Pa Dept. of
Highways as a foremen. He started working as a volunteer at the
Butler VA Medical Center in 1988. He has over 18 years of 32,000
hours of volunteer service there, and can still be found talking to and
comforting the patients. One of his favorite past times is helping
other veterans.
As an author, he wrote his first book "Ghost of Bataan Speaks" in
1971.
He wrote his second book "Oh God Where Are You?" His intent with
both books as to give the reader and the public a better understanding
of what happened to our brave men at the hands of the Japanese as POW's.
The following is just
a small part of Sgt Major Abraham's Accomplishments:
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1995
Abie was named the Butler County Veteran of the
year.
Abie was awarded for his High service at the Butler VA Medical center by
the DAV and the Dept of Veterans Affairs, Recognition and Merit awards;
also the Gen. Butler Vagabonds - Outstanding county and community;
Pennsylvania Senate, Veteran of the year 1995; The Pa Rep.
Full House Congressional Award, outstanding veteran of the year 1995; by
Seneca Valley High school, outstanding citizenship award; by Union High school, outstanding achievement award; Abie
was also a
member of the FOP;POW/MIA Association; safety council of Butler County;
butler county Humane society and past president of St. Anthony Orthodox
Church in Lyndora, Pa. He has been the Grand Marshall in the many
parades, spoke at many colleges and universities, as well as schools,
clubs, organizations, and dedications, aside from volunteering. He
was also an Honorary Member of an Indian Tribe in Florida.
2003
M/Sgt. Abie Abraham was recognized for his Government/Military service
as one of five individuals out of millions, who traced their roots
through the Golden Door of Ellis Island. Abie was on TV as a recipient of
the Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards 2003, along with Yogi Berra, Cicily Tyson, Bob Hope and Dr. Anthony Faucci. His name is carved in
stone at Ellis Island.
2005
In May 2005 Abie was awarded the Sen. John H. Heinz Community Advocate
award for this record and outstanding volunteer service at the Butler VA
Medical Center. He is on documentaries on TV, the Discovery Wings
Channel, Battlefield Diaries, "Raid on Cabanatuan" and the History
Channel, True heroes, "Great Raid" since 2005.
2006
May of 2006, Abie attended the 61th anniversary of the American Defenders
of Bataan and Corregidor convention of which he is a life member.
He spoke with Japanese ambassadors and Japanese journalists on the
Bataan Death March and better relations toward our veterans.
He recounted many of the experiences and atrocities that were committed
by the Japanese soldiers in WWII to our POW's in prison camps and the
Bataan Death March.July 2006, All-Star Baseball, pre-game activities show, Abie was
chosen as the WWII honoree outstanding veteran and was shown nationally
o TV and the big screen, saluting the US Flag during the singing of our
National Anthem.
October 9, 2006, Abie was selected to receive the distinguished
Chapel of the Four Chaplains of the Legion of Honor Award of Johnstown
Pa.
2007
Abie was honored by Butler Township by naming a road "Abie
Abraham Lane"
2011
October 20, 2011 Abie received Chairman's
Award at the 22nd annual partners in Leadership Awards
celebration hosted by the Veterans Leadership program of
Western PA.
October 27, 2011, Abie received a recognition award
from Butler Township Pa. |
Abie volunteered for 22 years at the veterans Hospital in Butler Pa.
He volunteered 38,000 hours at the veterans Hospital with the highest
work hours at the VA.
M/SGT. Abie Abraham was a life member of the VFW, American
Legion, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Organization,
31st Infantry Regiment, Ex-POW Organization, Disabled
American Veterans, American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor,
Hon. Col of the Philippines Army, Hon. Member of the U.S. Marine
Corp. Achievement and life membership, Lyndora Fire Dept., and Pa
Forest Warden.. He was awarded by the Mon Valley Marines for Exemplary
Service, also by the Butler Marine Corp League, Hon. member and service
award.
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Abie Abraham awards and medals include:
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| The Silver Star |
Bronze Star |
Purple Heart in cluster |
| Abie
received a total of 24 ribbons and medals. |
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Abie is featured in many
books and magazines such as |
|
Jet |
We remembered Bataan &
Corregidor |
Brother from Bataan |
|
Barbed wire surgeon |
Cabanatuan Japanese Death
Camp |
Readers Digest |
|
Journal |
Bataan Our Last Ditch-Esquire |
Conduct Under Fire |
|
USAFFE |
Raid on Cabanatuan |
Corregidor |
|
Hour of Redemption |
O'Donnell, Anderson of the
Pacific |
In Harms Way |
|
Corregidor the Last Stand |
Guest of Emperor |
Brothers from Bataan & Others |
Abies books are still available and his story is now in
Japan. Hampton Sides Book, Ghost Soldier, which features SGT Abraham
many times has gone into 16 million copies and is in revised copy in
Russia, China, Korea and Japan.
Abie passed away March 22, 2012 at the age of 98. Abie is buried at
the Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC as per his request.
Abie will never be forgotten for all his accomplishments. Abie
will be missed by all.
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