Laurence Allen Abercrombie was born Oct 11, 1897 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He graduated from Lawrence High School and attended Phillips Academy in Andover. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and reported there in June 1917 as a member of the Class of 1921. He played baseball and was a member of the Academy choir and musical clubs. During World War I, he served as a midshipman aboard the battleships Delaware (BB-28), Georgia (BB-15), Nevada (BB-36) and Mississippi (BB-41) during the summers of 1917 and 1918. He graduated and was commissioned one year early on June 3, 1920. He was graduate number 5965.
As a junior officer, Admiral Abercrombie served on a number of ships, including the USS Black Hawk (AD-9), the patrol boat USS Villalobos (PG-43) and the gunboat USS Isabel (PY-10), flagship of the Commander, Yangtze Patrol. In 1924 he was assigned to the USS Huron (ACR-9), then the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. In November 1924 he participated in the landing and subsequent operations at Chefoo, China. In 1925 he served one year aboard the battleship Utah (BB-31) operating in the Atlantic.
From July 1928 to January 1931, Admiral Abercrombie was assigned aboard the USS Pittsburgh (CA-4), flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. In November 1928 he attended the coronation of Emperor Hirohito of Japan.
From April 1931 to August 1933, he served a tour with the Bureau of Navigation. Upon detachment from the Bureau, he received orders to assist in the outfitting of the USS New Orleans (CA-32). Upon its commissioning on February 15, 1934, he served during the New Orleans' shakedown cruise to Sweden, Denmark, Holland and England. He was the Communications Officer when he detached from the New Orleans in May 1937.
Admiral Abercrombie served two tours (1926 - 1928 and 1937 - 1939) as an instructor at the Naval Academy, teaching French. He spent the summer of 1938 at the American Embassy in Paris, France to study the French language, later qualifying as a interpreter and translator.
In 1939, he detached from the Naval Academy and reported to the USS Arizona (BB-39) as gunnery officer. CDR Abercrombie assumed command of the USS Drayton (DD-366) on March 21, 1941. On December 7, 1941, while in command of the Drayton, the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. His actions led to the destruction of an enemy vessel. For his actions that day, he was awarded the Navy Cross, a decoration awarded only for combat actions and the Navy's second highest decoration, second only to the Medal of Honor.
CDR Abercrombie was promoted to the rank of captain on June 21, 1942. After commanding the Drayton, CAPT Abercrombie commanded a Destroyer Division. On October 22, 1942 his force struck a Japanese force south of the Gilbert Islands in a daylight raid that sank two enemy vessels. For his actions, he was awarded a second Navy Cross.
In 1943, CAPT Abercrombie commanded Task Unit 62.7.2. On February 17, 1943, his forces engaged in action with Japanese aerial forces in the Solomon Islands area. His actions enabled the Task Unit Commander to dispose his transports and destroyers for the most effective actions against hostile torpedo planes. For his actions, CAPT Abercrombie earned a third Navy Cross.
In August 1943, CAPT Abercrombie served in the Navy Department for duty with the Chief of Naval Operations, Office of Naval Intelligence.
In April 1944, CAPT Abercrombie was assigned to duty with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A year later, he reported to the Navy Training School (Damage Control) in San Francisco, California. In August 1945, he took command of the heavy cruiser, USS Chester (CA-27).
CAPT Abercrombie published a book, My Life to the Destroyers (c. 1944), which he co-wrote with Fletcher Pratt (1897 - 1956). In the book, CAPT Abercrombie described his experiences in World War II.
In March 1946, CAPT Abercrombie reported for duty as Director of the Naval Reserve program in the Potomac River Naval Command. In October 1946 he became assistant to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Naval Reserve, RADM John Gingrich (1897 - 1960), as Chief of Naval Reserve Plans and Policies. In May 1949 he transferred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
CAPT Abercormbie was transferred to the Retired List on June 30, 1951. In recognition of his exemplary combat record, he was promoted on the retired list to the rank of Rear Admiral.
Although Admiral Abercombie listed his official address with the Navy in retirement as being Lawrence, Massassachusetts, he and his wife lived in Poolesville, Maryland.
Admiral Abercombie died May 3, 1973 at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland at age 75. He was survived by his wife, Laurette J. St. Laurent Abercrombie (1903 - 1999).
Much of the information above comes from Admiral Abercrombie's official Navy biography as held by the Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
As a junior officer, Admiral Abercrombie served on a number of ships, including the USS Black Hawk (AD-9), the patrol boat USS Villalobos (PG-43) and the gunboat USS Isabel (PY-10), flagship of the Commander, Yangtze Patrol. In 1924 he was assigned to the USS Huron (ACR-9), then the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. In November 1924 he participated in the landing and subsequent operations at Chefoo, China. In 1925 he served one year aboard the battleship Utah (BB-31) operating in the Atlantic.
From July 1928 to January 1931, Admiral Abercrombie was assigned aboard the USS Pittsburgh (CA-4), flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. In November 1928 he attended the coronation of Emperor Hirohito of Japan.
From April 1931 to August 1933, he served a tour with the Bureau of Navigation. Upon detachment from the Bureau, he received orders to assist in the outfitting of the USS New Orleans (CA-32). Upon its commissioning on February 15, 1934, he served during the New Orleans' shakedown cruise to Sweden, Denmark, Holland and England. He was the Communications Officer when he detached from the New Orleans in May 1937.
Admiral Abercrombie served two tours (1926 - 1928 and 1937 - 1939) as an instructor at the Naval Academy, teaching French. He spent the summer of 1938 at the American Embassy in Paris, France to study the French language, later qualifying as a interpreter and translator.
In 1939, he detached from the Naval Academy and reported to the USS Arizona (BB-39) as gunnery officer. CDR Abercrombie assumed command of the USS Drayton (DD-366) on March 21, 1941. On December 7, 1941, while in command of the Drayton, the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. His actions led to the destruction of an enemy vessel. For his actions that day, he was awarded the Navy Cross, a decoration awarded only for combat actions and the Navy's second highest decoration, second only to the Medal of Honor.
CDR Abercrombie was promoted to the rank of captain on June 21, 1942. After commanding the Drayton, CAPT Abercrombie commanded a Destroyer Division. On October 22, 1942 his force struck a Japanese force south of the Gilbert Islands in a daylight raid that sank two enemy vessels. For his actions, he was awarded a second Navy Cross.
In 1943, CAPT Abercrombie commanded Task Unit 62.7.2. On February 17, 1943, his forces engaged in action with Japanese aerial forces in the Solomon Islands area. His actions enabled the Task Unit Commander to dispose his transports and destroyers for the most effective actions against hostile torpedo planes. For his actions, CAPT Abercrombie earned a third Navy Cross.
In August 1943, CAPT Abercrombie served in the Navy Department for duty with the Chief of Naval Operations, Office of Naval Intelligence.
In April 1944, CAPT Abercrombie was assigned to duty with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A year later, he reported to the Navy Training School (Damage Control) in San Francisco, California. In August 1945, he took command of the heavy cruiser, USS Chester (CA-27).
CAPT Abercrombie published a book, My Life to the Destroyers (c. 1944), which he co-wrote with Fletcher Pratt (1897 - 1956). In the book, CAPT Abercrombie described his experiences in World War II.
In March 1946, CAPT Abercrombie reported for duty as Director of the Naval Reserve program in the Potomac River Naval Command. In October 1946 he became assistant to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Naval Reserve, RADM John Gingrich (1897 - 1960), as Chief of Naval Reserve Plans and Policies. In May 1949 he transferred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
CAPT Abercormbie was transferred to the Retired List on June 30, 1951. In recognition of his exemplary combat record, he was promoted on the retired list to the rank of Rear Admiral.
Although Admiral Abercombie listed his official address with the Navy in retirement as being Lawrence, Massassachusetts, he and his wife lived in Poolesville, Maryland.
Admiral Abercombie died May 3, 1973 at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland at age 75. He was survived by his wife, Laurette J. St. Laurent Abercrombie (1903 - 1999).
Much of the information above comes from Admiral Abercrombie's official Navy biography as held by the Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
Laurence Allen Abercrombie was born Oct 11, 1897 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He graduated from Lawrence High School and attended Phillips Academy in Andover. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and reported there in June 1917 as a member of the Class of 1921. He played baseball and was a member of the Academy choir and musical clubs. During World War I, he served as a midshipman aboard the battleships Delaware (BB-28), Georgia (BB-15), Nevada (BB-36) and Mississippi (BB-41) during the summers of 1917 and 1918. He graduated and was commissioned one year early on June 3, 1920. He was graduate number 5965.
As a junior officer, Admiral Abercrombie served on a number of ships, including the USS Black Hawk (AD-9), the patrol boat USS Villalobos (PG-43) and the gunboat USS Isabel (PY-10), flagship of the Commander, Yangtze Patrol. In 1924 he was assigned to the USS Huron (ACR-9), then the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. In November 1924 he participated in the landing and subsequent operations at Chefoo, China. In 1925 he served one year aboard the battleship Utah (BB-31) operating in the Atlantic.
From July 1928 to January 1931, Admiral Abercrombie was assigned aboard the USS Pittsburgh (CA-4), flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. In November 1928 he attended the coronation of Emperor Hirohito of Japan.
From April 1931 to August 1933, he served a tour with the Bureau of Navigation. Upon detachment from the Bureau, he received orders to assist in the outfitting of the USS New Orleans (CA-32). Upon its commissioning on February 15, 1934, he served during the New Orleans' shakedown cruise to Sweden, Denmark, Holland and England. He was the Communications Officer when he detached from the New Orleans in May 1937.
Admiral Abercrombie served two tours (1926 - 1928 and 1937 - 1939) as an instructor at the Naval Academy, teaching French. He spent the summer of 1938 at the American Embassy in Paris, France to study the French language, later qualifying as a interpreter and translator.
In 1939, he detached from the Naval Academy and reported to the USS Arizona (BB-39) as gunnery officer. CDR Abercrombie assumed command of the USS Drayton (DD-366) on March 21, 1941. On December 7, 1941, while in command of the Drayton, the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. His actions led to the destruction of an enemy vessel. For his actions that day, he was awarded the Navy Cross, a decoration awarded only for combat actions and the Navy's second highest decoration, second only to the Medal of Honor.
CDR Abercrombie was promoted to the rank of captain on June 21, 1942. After commanding the Drayton, CAPT Abercrombie commanded a Destroyer Division. On October 22, 1942 his force struck a Japanese force south of the Gilbert Islands in a daylight raid that sank two enemy vessels. For his actions, he was awarded a second Navy Cross.
In 1943, CAPT Abercrombie commanded Task Unit 62.7.2. On February 17, 1943, his forces engaged in action with Japanese aerial forces in the Solomon Islands area. His actions enabled the Task Unit Commander to dispose his transports and destroyers for the most effective actions against hostile torpedo planes. For his actions, CAPT Abercrombie earned a third Navy Cross.
In August 1943, CAPT Abercrombie served in the Navy Department for duty with the Chief of Naval Operations, Office of Naval Intelligence.
In April 1944, CAPT Abercrombie was assigned to duty with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A year later, he reported to the Navy Training School (Damage Control) in San Francisco, California. In August 1945, he took command of the heavy cruiser, USS Chester (CA-27).
CAPT Abercrombie published a book, My Life to the Destroyers (c. 1944), which he co-wrote with Fletcher Pratt (1897 - 1956). In the book, CAPT Abercrombie described his experiences in World War II.
In March 1946, CAPT Abercrombie reported for duty as Director of the Naval Reserve program in the Potomac River Naval Command. In October 1946 he became assistant to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Naval Reserve, RADM John Gingrich (1897 - 1960), as Chief of Naval Reserve Plans and Policies. In May 1949 he transferred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
CAPT Abercormbie was transferred to the Retired List on June 30, 1951. In recognition of his exemplary combat record, he was promoted on the retired list to the rank of Rear Admiral.
Although Admiral Abercombie listed his official address with the Navy in retirement as being Lawrence, Massassachusetts, he and his wife lived in Poolesville, Maryland.
Admiral Abercombie died May 3, 1973 at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland at age 75. He was survived by his wife, Laurette J. St. Laurent Abercrombie (1903 - 1999).
Much of the information above comes from Admiral Abercrombie's official Navy biography as held by the Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
As a junior officer, Admiral Abercrombie served on a number of ships, including the USS Black Hawk (AD-9), the patrol boat USS Villalobos (PG-43) and the gunboat USS Isabel (PY-10), flagship of the Commander, Yangtze Patrol. In 1924 he was assigned to the USS Huron (ACR-9), then the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. In November 1924 he participated in the landing and subsequent operations at Chefoo, China. In 1925 he served one year aboard the battleship Utah (BB-31) operating in the Atlantic.
From July 1928 to January 1931, Admiral Abercrombie was assigned aboard the USS Pittsburgh (CA-4), flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. In November 1928 he attended the coronation of Emperor Hirohito of Japan.
From April 1931 to August 1933, he served a tour with the Bureau of Navigation. Upon detachment from the Bureau, he received orders to assist in the outfitting of the USS New Orleans (CA-32). Upon its commissioning on February 15, 1934, he served during the New Orleans' shakedown cruise to Sweden, Denmark, Holland and England. He was the Communications Officer when he detached from the New Orleans in May 1937.
Admiral Abercrombie served two tours (1926 - 1928 and 1937 - 1939) as an instructor at the Naval Academy, teaching French. He spent the summer of 1938 at the American Embassy in Paris, France to study the French language, later qualifying as a interpreter and translator.
In 1939, he detached from the Naval Academy and reported to the USS Arizona (BB-39) as gunnery officer. CDR Abercrombie assumed command of the USS Drayton (DD-366) on March 21, 1941. On December 7, 1941, while in command of the Drayton, the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. His actions led to the destruction of an enemy vessel. For his actions that day, he was awarded the Navy Cross, a decoration awarded only for combat actions and the Navy's second highest decoration, second only to the Medal of Honor.
CDR Abercrombie was promoted to the rank of captain on June 21, 1942. After commanding the Drayton, CAPT Abercrombie commanded a Destroyer Division. On October 22, 1942 his force struck a Japanese force south of the Gilbert Islands in a daylight raid that sank two enemy vessels. For his actions, he was awarded a second Navy Cross.
In 1943, CAPT Abercrombie commanded Task Unit 62.7.2. On February 17, 1943, his forces engaged in action with Japanese aerial forces in the Solomon Islands area. His actions enabled the Task Unit Commander to dispose his transports and destroyers for the most effective actions against hostile torpedo planes. For his actions, CAPT Abercrombie earned a third Navy Cross.
In August 1943, CAPT Abercrombie served in the Navy Department for duty with the Chief of Naval Operations, Office of Naval Intelligence.
In April 1944, CAPT Abercrombie was assigned to duty with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A year later, he reported to the Navy Training School (Damage Control) in San Francisco, California. In August 1945, he took command of the heavy cruiser, USS Chester (CA-27).
CAPT Abercrombie published a book, My Life to the Destroyers (c. 1944), which he co-wrote with Fletcher Pratt (1897 - 1956). In the book, CAPT Abercrombie described his experiences in World War II.
In March 1946, CAPT Abercrombie reported for duty as Director of the Naval Reserve program in the Potomac River Naval Command. In October 1946 he became assistant to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Naval Reserve, RADM John Gingrich (1897 - 1960), as Chief of Naval Reserve Plans and Policies. In May 1949 he transferred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
CAPT Abercormbie was transferred to the Retired List on June 30, 1951. In recognition of his exemplary combat record, he was promoted on the retired list to the rank of Rear Admiral.
Although Admiral Abercombie listed his official address with the Navy in retirement as being Lawrence, Massassachusetts, he and his wife lived in Poolesville, Maryland.
Admiral Abercombie died May 3, 1973 at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland at age 75. He was survived by his wife, Laurette J. St. Laurent Abercrombie (1903 - 1999).
Much of the information above comes from Admiral Abercrombie's official Navy biography as held by the Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
Inscription
LAURENCE ALLEN ABERCROMBIE
REAR ADMIRAL
UNITED STATES NAVY
1897 - 1973
HIS BELOVED WIFE
LAURETTE J. ST. LAURENT
1903 - 1999
-----------------
LAURENCE A ABERCROMBIE
MASSACHUSETTS
REAR ADMIRAL US NAVY RET
WORLD WAR I & II KOREA NC & 2 GS
OCT 11 1897 MAY 3 1973
