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James Terry Abbott
Incident
Special Agent James Abbott was shot and killed in the Thua Thien province of Vietnam while attempting to disarm a soldier who had taken a hostage in an observation tower at Camp Evans.
The soldier had threatened his commanding officer and first sergeant before climbing into the observation tower with his M-16 rifle.
Agent Abbott was called to the location and attempted to talk the soldier into releasing the hostage. He was able to gain access to the tower and while talking with the subject attempted to disarm him. During the struggle, Agent Abbott was shot and killed.
Agent Abbott was posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal. Agent Abbott was also awarded the Bronze Medal for his heroic actions. Additionally, the U.S. Army named the CIS Building at Fort Knox, Ky. after him.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Agent Abbott served with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Terry Abbott served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Army Criminal Investigation Division has lost 18 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 1 officer at United States Army Criminal Investigation Division was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1864, with 5.
In 1971, 5 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 26. Of the 11 killed feloniously at United States Army Criminal Investigation Division whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.5; the middle age was 32.
James was 26. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
James was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 9.1% of these deaths at United States Army Criminal Investigation Division; October holds the most, 45.5%. Mondays: 27.3%.
January holds 5.9% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.1% of all 18 deaths at United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; m-16, in 18.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; m-16, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; m-16, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; m-16, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
United States Army Criminal Investigation Division has 18 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Josiah Baughman
Nov 13, 1862
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Garrett W. Freer May 2, 1864
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Josiah M. Woodruff Oct 1, 1864
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John L. Bashore Oct 1, 1864
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David W. Edwards
Oct 13, 1864
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Cyrus Butler
Oct 31, 1864
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John B. Cook Mar 5, 1865
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Walter Edward Snyder
May 9, 1948
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John Albert Hanson
May 9, 1970
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Leroy E. Halbert, Jr.
Dec 31, 1970
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James Terry Abbott
Jan 11, 1971
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Elmer Martin Heggen
Jul 23, 1973
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Henry Herbert Tibbs
Jul 23, 1973
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Norman Emmett Larson
Sep 24, 1973
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Dirk Alan Miller
Dec 12, 1985
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James Columbus Mayo, Jr.
Sep 18, 1987
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Joseph Michael Peters
Oct 6, 2013
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Liquat Ali Khan
Apr 30, 2019
Where
Military Service
James Terry Abbott served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Terry Abbott’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from United States Army Criminal Investigation Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
