James Abbott

Location: Overseas
Weapon: Rifle; M-16
Offender: Not available

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.

I met SA Abbott when I was on a 4 day pass to exchange CID cars at the Paris Branch Office. I spend part of a day with him and his lovely wife. They were so in love. I later read in the Army Times that he had been murdered.

Fr. David Ownby, SA (Ret), US Army CID
St George's Anglican Church, Ocala, FL
January 9th, 2024