Hometown: New London, WI 
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 28th Marines Regiment, 5th Marine Division
Military Honors: Silver Star, Purple Heart
Date of Sacrifice: March 5, 1945 - KIA in Iwo Jima, Japan
Age: 20
Conflict: World War II, 1939-1945

PFC Donald Abraham took part in one of the most strategically important and hellish battles of the Pacific theater in World War II. Known as the “Pork Chop” because of its shape, Iwo Jima is a mostly flat island covered in thick, black, volcanic ash. The Battle of Iwo Jima is remembered for the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi, captured in Joe Rosenthal’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photo. The Battle lasted from February 16 to March 26, 1945.

For his bravery under fire while attacking an entrenched enemy position, PFC Abraham was awarded the Silver Star. His citation reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Donald R. Abraham (MCSN: 474542), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 5 March 1945.

Participating in an attack on a strongly entrenched enemy force and overrunning its position, Private First Class Abraham, with his squad, was subjected to heavy mortar and intense sniper fire. Making his way to a nearby friendly tank, Private First Class Abraham directed it through his squad’s area to a good firing position, retained his hazardous position and successfully directed its fire to destroy a heavy enemy mortar emplacement. His sound judgment and outstanding devotion to duty, in the face of grave peril, contributed to the success of that operation and reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Abraham and the United States Naval Service.

Sources
Artist’s rendering: Craig Du Mez
TogetherWeServed: PFC Donald Robert Abraham
HonorStates.org: Donald Robert Abraham
National Parks Service—CLOSING IN: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima
Burial Site: Find a Grave