Anthony J. Abato was born on December 25, 1921, in New York, New York County, New York. He was the son of Christmas Abato and Carmela Abato. He served in the Reconnaissance Company, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, as a Private during World War II.

On August 13, 1944, he moved with his unit across across the Mayenne River. By late afternoon, their armored car continued pressing north in the middle of the 3rd Armored Division's column. While driving forward, a German motorcycle passed its position five miles west of Carrouges, France. Their lieutenant ordered the crew to chase the motorcycle and its rider, believed to be a messenger. Once they found the German, they turned their gun turret towards the motorcycle. At that moment they were hit by a German 88mm shell in their gas tank.

Of the four men on the crew, only one survived. It was reported that Abato, serving as a driver of the M8 Armored Car #R12-6032990, was seriously wounded and died three days later on August 16, 1944. Pvt Abato is now buried in the Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Source of information: www.honorstates.org