Edgar Raymond ABBOTT

Married  Selma GRUBER

Parents : Mannie B & Wava Eunice ABBOTT

CEMTERY TEMPORARY of  Blosville N°3508

Story of Cemetery Temporary 

Map of Normandy American Cemetery

A native of Union Star in Missouri, Edgar enrolled in June 1941 and entered the Airborne School. In August, he joined the 503rd Parachute Battalion, A Coy, which was the third of the four battalions set up before the start of the 2nd World War.
Edgar stayed there until June 1942 when he entered the Officer Candidate School for a 17 week training period until November 1942. He came out of it as Sub-Lieutenant and got transferred to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, A Coy. He married Selma Gruber in Duval County (Florida) in December.
In April 1943, he left for Camp Mackall, where he undertook a harsh and intensive physical training, long marches loaded with equipment, exercises for each specialty and tactical missions; he remained there until August 1943. In September and October 1943, they carried out military exercises in Tennessee and went back to Camp Mackall in November until the end of the year. Edgar changed unit in December, he left A Coy for the Mortar Platoon at HQ/1 where he replaced Lieutenant Stoeckert who had hurt himself during an exercise jump. Edgar became their Commanding Officer and got promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
On 20 December, they were transferred to Camp Shanks in New-York in anticipation of their departure towards Europe. On 28 December 1943, the USAT James Parker took the 508th P.I.R. towards history. The regiment arrived in Belfast, Ireland, on 9 January 1944 and was transferred to Port Stewart. On 14 January 1944, the regiment was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division. Up to 10 March, they followed a physical and tactical training, based on running, orienteering and night marches. The men of the 508th P.I.R. welcomed their brothers in arms of the 505th who told them about their experience in Sicily (advice, German fighting techniques…). Edgar and the regiment left Ireland for England and Nottingham where they settled their new camp in the Famous Robin Hood’s Sherwood forest, staying there until 28 May 1944. Marches, tactics, night jumps filled their schedule during this period. For instance, the regiment took part in the “Side-car” exercise on 1st and 2nd April which consisted in jumping at night; the battalion was flown by the 53rd Troop Wing of the 9th Air Force.

Station AAF-484 de Folkingham

And the long-awaited D-Day, the day when all the acquired training will take all its value has arrived. The regiment leaves Notthingham for the Folkingham airfield on 28 May 1944. They depart on 5 June, the 508th P.I.R. is flown by the 49th TCS of the 313th TCG of the 9th US Air Force. Edgar is the jumpmaster officer of his stick in the C-47, 42-56999, which is in position N°3 as mentioned in the flight plan of the HQ/1. They will touch the Norman ground close to the Clainville hamlet, South of Picauville. He ends up with two other paras of the 508th P.I.R., from there he will gather a little group of 17 men and they will start going forward towards their objective: Hill 30. At dawn, they were 35 and in the middle of the day, they made contact with the LCL Shanley on Hill 30 but going forward was proving impossible and they decided to get into position at Montessy until the 8th of June.
On 11 June, the regiment rebuilds with the aim of attacking the Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte area. The 13 June is a particular day in the history of the 1st Battalion, 12 German tanks are destroyed in 12 hours! In the evening, the 1st Battalion is West of Baupte. On 14 June, the Battalion fights the Germans back before Pont Auny, at night they are at the Francquetot castle. After receiving new orders on 15 June, the Battalion leaves on the 16th to reach the North-West of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte. On 17 June, the 1st Battalion penetrates the South part of town; the men reach Saint-Sauveur-de-Pierrepont; many German opposition spots exist and prevent them from going forward, but the artillery allows the 2 Battalions of the 508th to take advantage. Edgar will not witness the final moments of this advance; he is shot by a sniper on this 17 of June. He will be awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions. 

Sur le tarmac de Folkingham, préparation des containers pour l’unité d’Edgar

Plan de vol des 1er et 2eme bataillons du 508^th

PLAN DE VOL

AVION N°3 C-47 42-56999

Pilote Lt Robinson, Kermit R
Co-pilote 2Lt Chiles, Eugène D Jr
Opérateur Radio SSgt Brody, Albert H
Chef d'équipage Sgt Olson, Clarence L

STICK:

1. 1/Lt Edgar R. Abbott (81mm Mortar Platoon Leader , Jumpmaster)
2. Pvt Joseph F. Farrison (Mortar)
3. Pfc Warren R. Brown (Runner, Mortar)
4. Cpl Wendel M. Short (Mortar)
5. Pfc Donald N. Matyskella (Mortar)
6. Pvt Woodrow Lee Willis (Mortar?)
7. Pvt Arnold J. Sims (Mortar)
8. Pvt Leland E. Chitwood (Mortar)
9. Pvt Andrew Babjak (Mortar)
10. Pvt James W. Allen
11. Pvt Marion l. Pence
12. Pvt Charles W. Winton
13. Pfc Larney R. Vancourt (Mortar)
14. Pvt Francis N. Bowen (Medic)
15. T/5 Sylvester J. Baysinger (Service Co)
16. SSgt Harold E. Roberts (Service Co)
17. Pvt James E. Fust (Mortar, Asst Jumpmaster)