Mack's Story

Sergeant Harvey "Mack" Abbott (October 16, 1922 – June 19, 2014) was a World War II veteran of the United States Marine Corps whose service spanned some of the most critical engagements in the Pacific Theater. Abbott's experiences ranged from the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor to the grueling island-hopping campaigns that defined the war in the Pacific. Beyond his combat service, Abbott's life story includes his difficult upbringing during the Great Depression and his later commitment to preserving the memory of Pearl Harbor. In 2001, he documented his experiences and reflections in his memoir, "First and Last Shots Fired in World War II," offering a personal perspective on a transformative period in history.    

Early Life: Hardship and Resilience

Harvey Abbott entered the world on October 16, 1922, in Birmingham, Alabama.  His childhood coincided with the Great Depression, a period that profoundly impacted countless American families. Abbott's early life was marked by poverty, frequent relocations, and instability.  Following his parents' separation and subsequent divorce—an uncommon occurrence for that era—he spent time living with his aunt Sarah and her family.   His education included a period at a Catholic boarding school.  These early experiences shaped Abbott, instilling in him a resilience and toughness that would serve him well during the trials of war.    

Marine Corps Service: From Boot Camp to Pearl Harbor

Abbott's military career began when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18.  He underwent rigorous training at Parris Island boot camp, a 12-week crucible designed to forge recruits into Marines.  Following boot camp, he received specialized instruction at Water Engineering School in Quantico, Virginia.  In October 1941, Abbott's training culminated in his deployment to Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Lexington.  Shortly before his arrival, he celebrated his 19th birthday.  Upon reaching Pearl Harbor, he was assigned to the 3rd Defense Battalion.    

The Attack on Pearl Harbor: A Baptism of Fire

The events of December 7, 1941, thrust Abbott and his fellow Marines into the chaos of war. Abbott was present at the Marine barracks when the Imperial Japanese Navy launched its surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.  He vividly recalled the moment when a Japanese plane flew past his window, an immediate and undeniable sign that the base was under attack.  Abbott and other Marines responded to the attack, engaging the enemy aircraft with their 1903 Springfield rifles.  In the aftermath of the attack, Abbott's duties shifted to assisting with the wounded and patrolling the island's fuel depot, a critical task given the potential for further attacks.    

Palmyra Atoll: A Change of Plans

Abbott's initial assignment changed when the USS Thornton, the destroyer he was aboard, was diverted from its course to Wake Island.  Wake Island had fallen to the Japanese, and the Thornton was rerouted to Palmyra Atoll.  Abbott's duties on Palmyra involved operating the power plant for the searchlights.  He also contributed to the island's defense by helping to construct an observation tower.    

Midway Island: A Vital Role

After several months on Palmyra, the 3rd Defense Battalion was ordered to rest and recuperate.  However, Abbott, due to his time-in-service, was transferred to the 1st Marine Battalion.  His expertise in water engineering became crucial when Midway Island reported problems with its water distillation systems.  Abbott was sent to Midway to repair the plant.  His successful repair of the water systems, while seemingly a routine task, inadvertently played a role in the lead-up to the pivotal Battle of Midway.    

During the Battle of Midway, Abbott was assigned to a .50 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun, contributing to the island's defense.    

Guadalcanal and Tulagi: The Grim Reality of Island Warfare

Abbott's service then took him to the Solomon Islands, specifically Guadalcanal and Tulagi.  These campaigns were marked by intense fighting, harsh conditions, and significant casualties.  Abbott's unit was among the first to land on Guadalcanal, encountering little initial resistance.  However, the campaign quickly escalated into a brutal struggle for control of the islands.    

The environment itself posed a significant challenge, with heat, humidity, and diseases like malaria and dengue fever adding to the difficulties of combat.   Abbott himself contracted Dengue Fever during his time there.    

After several months on Guadalcanal, Abbott was among those redeployed to Tulagi, a neighboring island, where fighting was particularly intense.    

Return to the States: Rest and Retraining

The cumulative effect of combat and disease necessitated the return of Abbott's unit to the United States in March 1943.   Following a brief period at Pearl Harbor, Abbott and his fellow Marines were granted a 30-day leave.  This was followed by a more extended period of training and recuperation, as the unit prepared to return to combat.    

Saipan and Tinian: The Final Push

In 1944, Abbott's unit was redeployed, now as the 18th Anti Air Battalion.  Their destination was Saipan, and later, the nearby island of Tinian.  These islands were strategically important, and the battles to secure them were fiercely contested.  Abbott's commanding officer for much of this period was now Lt. Col. Howard Kirgis.    

The capture of Saipan and Tinian was crucial for the U.S. war effort, providing bases for B-29 bombers to strike the Japanese mainland.    

The fighting on these islands was intense, and the Japanese forces demonstrated a fierce resistance.    

The Surrender and the Atomic Bomb

Abbott's service on Tinian coincided with the end of the war.  The island became a key base for the B-29 bombers, including the Enola Gay, which would drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.  Abbott was present when Colonel Paul Tibbets addressed the troops about the mission.    

Abbott himself led what he believed to be the last patrol on Tinian before the Japanese surrender.  Later, he was called upon to witness the surrender of Japanese forces on Saipan, a symbolic end to the conflict in that part of the Pacific.    

Post-War Life: Finding Home and Building a Life

Following the war, Abbott faced the challenges of transitioning to civilian life.  He moved to Houston, Texas, where his parents were living, and sought employment.  He also briefly attended the University of Houston.    

In Houston, Abbott met his future wife, Janie, and they married.  The couple had three children: Carl, Pam, and Paul.  Abbott and Janie eventually moved to Georgia, where they would spend the remainder of their lives.    

Preserving the Memory: Abbott's Later Years

In his later years, Abbott dedicated himself to public speaking, sharing his experiences of Pearl Harbor and the war in the Pacific.  He became active in veterans' organizations, including the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.  He also played a key role in the establishment of a Pearl Harbor memorial.    

In 2001, Abbott published his memoir, "First and Last Shots Fired in World War II," which detailed his life from childhood through his wartime service and into his later years.    

Abbott's life was marked by both the hardships of the Depression and the extraordinary experiences of World War II. He died in Gainesville, Georgia, on June 19, 2014, at the age of 91.