PFC. THOMAS ELIE JABOUR
Pfc. Thomas Elie Jabour of Davenport served with the 18th Marines, 1st Battalion of the 2nd Marine Division. He was a rifleman. Pfc. Jabour was killed in action on Saipan at the North Mariana Islands July 10th, 1944. He was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross. His citation reads:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Thomas E. Jabour (519489), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Saipan in the Marianas, on 10 July 1944. Warned of the impossibility of approaching a strongly fortified Japanese cave position when an assault executed by our tanks and half-tracks failed to dislodge the enemy force, Private First Class Jabour unhesitatingly advanced in a determined effort to destroy the obstinately resisting troops and, despite the great risk involved, boldly hurled powerful demolition charges into the cave and completely annihilated the hostile strong point. Instantly killed while attempting to neutralize the intense fire from another strategic enemy position, Private First Class Jabour, by his indomitable fighting spirit, aggressive action and great personal valor, assisted materially in freeing an entire sector from overwhelming enemy gunfire and in forwarding the advance of our forces in this area. His unwavering devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Jabour and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 1758 (March 1, 1945)
Source: marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/
Thomas Elie Jabour was born May 24, 1926 to Albert Charley and Sadie Nahra Jabour. He died July 10, 1944 and is buried in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Davenport, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
