John Abbott

By zthanson, 3 November, 2022
First Name
John
Last Name
Abbott
Birthdate
Hometown
Burlington, VT
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Navy
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Navy suit.
PreCapture Description

John Abbott enlisted in the US Navy on August 8, 1945 and released for active duty in September 1946. He served his country during the Cold War, and the Korean War flying off the carrier USS Essex. From September 1956 to June 1957, Lieutenant Abbott went to Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois to serve with the Service School Command. He was air operations officer aboard the USS Valley Forge from June 1957 to August 1959.After Postgraduate School, Lieutenant Commander Abbott was the Commander of Operational Test and Evaluation Force at Norfolk, Virginia until May 1962. From there he went to the United States Navy Headquarters in the Pentagon until June 1963.In June 1963 he was a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk pilot with VA-113 Squadron and was flying combat missions in Southeast Asia off of the USS Kitty Hawk from November 1965. He was promoted to Commander and took over command of Attack Squadron VF-113 on 11 April 1966. He was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on April 20, 1966. 


 

Post Release Image
Black rectangle with text inside that says 'Died in Captivity, April 27, 1966.'
Post Release Description

Captain Abbott was reported to have died in captivity 7 days later, on April 27, 1966. He was posthumously promoted to Captain, and his remains were returned to the United States on March 13, 1974. Recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Gold Stars, two for actions in the Korea Theater and three for Vietnam. Col. John Abbott is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 06e, Line 124.


 

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Passed away before release
In Memorium