THE WALL OF FACES

Denis Eugene Abbott, 22, son of Rev. and Mrs. Eugene R. Abbott, North Fourth Street, McConnellsburg, was killed in action early last Friday morning in Viet Nam. He died of wounds received in a sneak attack by the Viet Cong on the camp where he was stationed, near Pleiku. His death marks the first war casualty for Fulton County in Viet Nam where a number of other county youths are now serving.

The Abbott Family, who have lived in McConnellsburg for the past three years, were told of their son's death on Friday afternoon by Lt. Eastwood of the Letterkenny Army Depot. Mrs. Abbott was on duty at the Medical Center where she is employed as a nurse; Mr. Abbott was contacted in Baltimore where he is doing graduate work in social studies. He is the executive director of the Fulton County Board of Assistance. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were told that their son had died on April 22 at 2:30 A.M., Vietnamese time. Later, the family received the following telegram:

"The Secretary of the Army has asked me to express his deep regret that your son died in Viet Nam on April 22 of metal fragment wounds received when the perimeter of the camp was hit by small arms fire and grenades. Please accept my deepest sympathy. This confirms the personal notification made by representatives of the Secretary of the Army."
The telegram was signed by J.C. Lambert, Major General, USA, Adjutant General.

At the time he was killed, the young soldier had been in the Army just a little over a year, having entered on April 8, 1965. After training at Fort Jackson, he was sent to Hawaii in August, 1965, and then to the Viet Nam area on January 7 of this year. He was a private first class in the 35th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 25th Division. He had taken part in the Tropic Airlift which won national acclaim several weeks ago, serving as an army vehicle operator.

In civilian life, Denis was a quiet, unassuming boy, working in his spare time with the young people in the community. A former boy scout himself he was Cubmaster of McConnelsburg Cub pack 43. He was born in Somersville, NJ on July 15, 1943 and spent part of his childhood with his parents in missionary work in the African Congo. He graduated from the Phillipsburg Osceola High School in 1962 and attended Shippensburg State College from 1962 - 64 as a liberal arts student. He planned to resume his studies after serving his hitch in the army with a view towards a legal or journalistic career. During high school and college Denis showed great interest

As we approach the anniversary of your death I thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Rest in eternal peace.

DEAR PFC ABBOTT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. REST IN PEACE IN THE ARMS OF THE ANGELS.

Private First Class Denis Eugene Abbott, Served with the Weapons Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

My name is Mackenzie Miles, and I'm leaving a remembrance from Radnor High School. I'd like to take this moment to thank you sincerely for your time and devotion for our country, people like you are the reason my generation can live the life we do now. Thank you so much for your selflessness, thank you so much for being the person that you are. I hope there are still people like you out there.