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Personal info

Full name
ABRAMSKI, Walter J
Date of birth
14 December 1917
Age
27
Place of birth
Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey
Hometown
Richfield springs, Otsego County, New York

Military service

Service number
32098367
Rank
Sergeant
Function
unknown
Unit
58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
19 December 1944
Place of death
Lonvilly-Mageret, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
A 32 25

Immediate family

Members
John Abramski (father)
Pauline Abramski (mother)
Andrew Abramski (brother)
Irene Abramski (sister)
Sadie (Budka) Abramski (wife)

More information

Sgt Walter J. Abramski was a fireman with the Richfield Springs Fire Department.

He enlisted at Fort Jay, New York on 10 July 1941.

He was awarded the Silver Star citation posthumously. The citation cited: For gallantry in action in connection with military operations against the enemy on 19 December 1944 in Belgium. When German infantry and armor threatened to surround the battalion and forced it to withdraw under intense mortar, artillery and small fire, Sgt Abramski fought a rearguard action with his task force until the battalion could complete an orderly withdrawal. Despite withering enemy fire, Sgt Abramski held his position, firing at enemy infantry. tanks, and vehicles. Though his tank sustain one direct hit, he continued to fire until all his ammunition was expended.
Shortly thereafter, a second direct hit on the tank seriously wounded Sergeant Abramski. The tenacious courage, in spite of impossible odds, displayed by Sgt Abramski are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces and reflect great credit upon himself.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.history.army.mil, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, Hot Steel-The Story of the 58th AFAB, Press and Sun Bulletin - 17 September 1945

Photo source: Mireille Goedhart, Anthony Destro