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Adapted from the biographical sketch for Captain Clark Tait Abbott, Navy-Biographies Section, OI-023, 22 July 1953; now part of the Modern Biography Files, Navy Department Library, Naval History & Heritage Command.

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  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
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Clark Tait Abbott

16 April 1910 - 20 April 1981

PDF Version [2.4MB]

Supply Corps, US Navy

Clark Tait Abbott was born in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, on 26 April 1910, son of Warren H. and Ann Hathaway Abbott. He attended Stratford (Connecticut) High School, and Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, where he received the Bachelor of Science degree in 1930. After graduation he was commissioned Ensign, US Naval Reserve, and on 2 May 1931, he transferred in the same rank to the Supply Corps, US Navy. He advanced progressively through the various grades to the rank of Captain, to date from 15 November 1945.

Upon assignment to the Supply Corps of the Navy in May 1931, he reported for active duty, and after two months of duty at the Navy Yard, New York, New York, he had instruction for five months aboard the USS Bushnell. Thereafter, from January 1932 to July 1934 he had duty aboard that submarine tender as Assistant for Disbursing. From August 1934 to August 1936 he was Assistant to the Supply, Disbursing, Accounting Officer, at the Naval Training Station, Newport, Rhode Island, and later at the Naval Torpedo Station there.

Ordered to the Asiatic Station, he reported in October 1936, and served on the staff of the Commander South China Patrol, until July 1938. He returned to continental shore duty in November 1938, reporting to the Navy Yard, New York, New York, where he served as Assistant to the Supply Officer, until the end of September 1939. He reported to the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts, Navy Department, Washington, DC, where he had continuous duty through the early years of World War II. In May 1943, he was detached and reported aboard the USS Iowa for duty as Supply Officer. He served in that battleship until August 1944, when he returned to the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts. 'For outstanding service as Assistant to the Officer in Charge, Planning Division, Bureau of Supplies and Accounts,' he received a Letter of Commendation from the Chief of that Bureau. The citation further states:

'....(he) distinguished himself....by taking a conspicuous part in the administration of one of the largest bureaus of the Navy Department during the period of national emergency and by his invaluable service to the shore establishment in the construction and maintenance of an adequate Supply Depot ashore, the processing of production in the Shore station development program of the Navy, and their presentation to the Budget Bureau and to Congress....'

'He further distinguished himself by outstanding services to the Fleet and the shore establishment by solving many of the problems involved in the operation of Supply Corps activities afloat and shore.'

In January 1945, he transferred to the Naval Supply Depot, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he served until October 1945. At that time he assumed duty as Supply Officer on the Staff of Commander, Pacific Reserve Fleet. From September 1946 to May 1947 he served in the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts, Navy Department. He reported the next month for duty as Supply Officer on the staff of Commander, US Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. In June 1950 he had orders returning him to the United States, and reported to the Commandant, Sixth Naval District, Charleston, South Carolina, to serve as District Supply Officer. In 1951, he was transferred to Bainbridge, Maryland, as Supply and Fiscal Officer for the Naval Training Center, and under orders of 8 April 1952, he was a member of the staff of Commander Eastern Sea Frontier.

In addition to the Letter of Commendation, Captain Abbott had the China Service Medal; the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze stars; and the World War II Victory Medal.

Captain Abbott died 20 April 1981 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

[END] 

Published: Wed Jan 03 09:20:10 EST 2018