Sgt. Harvey 'Mack' Abbott
WWII Veteran, United States Marine Corps
October 16, 1922 – June 19, 2014
A Life of Service
From the Great Depression to the shores of Pearl Harbor and beyond — the story of a true American hero.
Pearl Harbor Survivor
Sgt. Harvey 'Mack' Abbott
Sergeant Harvey 'Mack' Abbott (October 16, 1922 – June 19, 2014) was a World War II veteran of the United States Marine Corps whose service spanned some of the most critical engagements in the Pacific Theater. Abbott's experiences ranged from the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor to the grueling island-hopping campaigns that defined the war in the Pacific. Beyond his combat service, Abbott's life story includes his difficult upbringing during the Great Depression and his later commitment to preserving the memory of Pearl Harbor. In 2001, he documented his experiences and reflections in his memoir, 'First and Last Shots Fired in World War II,' offering a personal perspective on a transformative period in history.
Historical Timeline
Follow the key milestones in a life defined by courage and historical significance.
Born in Alabama
Harvey "Mack" Abbott enters the world during the Great Depression.
Pearl Harbor
The first Marine out of his barracks to fire on attacking Japanese planes.
Battle of Midway
A pivotal engagement that turned the tide of the war in the Pacific.
War's End
Led the last patrol on Tinian as the atomic bombs ended the war.
A Lasting Legacy
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Monument at Marietta National Cemetery stands as a testament to the bravery and resilience of those who served — a project spearheaded by Sgt. Abbott himself.
The Memoir
Delve deeper into the story through Mack's own words.
First and Last Shots
by Sgt. Harvey 'Mack' Abbott
Mack first self-published his memoir in 2001. We've updated the book with tons of new photos (many are never-before-seen) and fixed some typographical and grammatical errors, while modernizing the look and feel of the interior and exterior.