Lewis "Junior" Wabel Jr., 83, of Henry died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Heartland Health Care Center in Henry. He was born March 22, 1926, in Peoria, Ill., to Lewis Pershing Wabel Sr. and Grace Udell (Miles) Wabel. Lewis Jr had no middle name.
He married Virginia Ann Barth on June 21, 1947, at St. Mary's Church in Henry, Ill. She preceded him in death on Aug. 22, 2000. His parents, two brothers and three sisters also preceded him in death. Surviving are one son, two daughters, one brother, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Lewis served his country in the United States Navy during WWII; he entered at the age of 17 in 1943 as Seaman, Gunners First Mate (GMIC). He was wounded in the Pacific Ocean area. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross aboard the USS LCI (G) 561. He was discharged in 1945.
His great love in life was model railroads and railroad history.
Lewis retired from B.F. Goodrich in 1986. He was assistant fire chief for the Henry Fire Dept for many years. He was a member of Henry American Legion Post 323, B.F. Goodrich Retiree Club and the Historical Society of Princeton, Il.
Visitation was Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home, 513 Carroll St., Henry, Ill. Funeral service was Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, Henry, with full military rites by the Henry American Legion.
The above obit is from the Peoria Journal Star 10/26/2009
Lewis's Citation for Bravery:
Third Amphibious Force
U. S. Pacific Fleet
Flagship of the Commander
In the name of the President of the United States and by direction of the Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, the Commander Third Amphibious Force, United States Pacific Fleet takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lewis Wabel Jr., Gunner's Mate Second Class, United States Naval Reserve, for service as set in the following citation:
"For distinguishing himself by extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy as gun captain of a 20 millimeter gun on an LCI gunboat during the rocket and gun bombardment of Leyte Island on 20 October 1944, while leading in the first assault wave of an invasion force. When a misfire occurred in the breach of his gun and a full magazine was left in place by the crew, he coolly stepped forward and, disregarding his own personal safety, unshipped the magazine and threw it over the side. The misfire exploded in his face, inflicting severe powder burns and lacerations. By his action in the face of danger he averted a serious explosion and probably saved the lives of his gun crew and others nearby. His courage and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval service."
T. S. Wilkinson,
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
He married Virginia Ann Barth on June 21, 1947, at St. Mary's Church in Henry, Ill. She preceded him in death on Aug. 22, 2000. His parents, two brothers and three sisters also preceded him in death. Surviving are one son, two daughters, one brother, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Lewis served his country in the United States Navy during WWII; he entered at the age of 17 in 1943 as Seaman, Gunners First Mate (GMIC). He was wounded in the Pacific Ocean area. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross aboard the USS LCI (G) 561. He was discharged in 1945.
His great love in life was model railroads and railroad history.
Lewis retired from B.F. Goodrich in 1986. He was assistant fire chief for the Henry Fire Dept for many years. He was a member of Henry American Legion Post 323, B.F. Goodrich Retiree Club and the Historical Society of Princeton, Il.
Visitation was Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home, 513 Carroll St., Henry, Ill. Funeral service was Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, Henry, with full military rites by the Henry American Legion.
The above obit is from the Peoria Journal Star 10/26/2009
Lewis's Citation for Bravery:
Third Amphibious Force
U. S. Pacific Fleet
Flagship of the Commander
In the name of the President of the United States and by direction of the Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, the Commander Third Amphibious Force, United States Pacific Fleet takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lewis Wabel Jr., Gunner's Mate Second Class, United States Naval Reserve, for service as set in the following citation:
"For distinguishing himself by extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy as gun captain of a 20 millimeter gun on an LCI gunboat during the rocket and gun bombardment of Leyte Island on 20 October 1944, while leading in the first assault wave of an invasion force. When a misfire occurred in the breach of his gun and a full magazine was left in place by the crew, he coolly stepped forward and, disregarding his own personal safety, unshipped the magazine and threw it over the side. The misfire exploded in his face, inflicting severe powder burns and lacerations. By his action in the face of danger he averted a serious explosion and probably saved the lives of his gun crew and others nearby. His courage and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval service."
T. S. Wilkinson,
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
Lewis "Junior" Wabel Jr., 83, of Henry died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Heartland Health Care Center in Henry. He was born March 22, 1926, in Peoria, Ill., to Lewis Pershing Wabel Sr. and Grace Udell (Miles) Wabel. Lewis Jr had no middle name.
He married Virginia Ann Barth on June 21, 1947, at St. Mary's Church in Henry, Ill. She preceded him in death on Aug. 22, 2000. His parents, two brothers and three sisters also preceded him in death. Surviving are one son, two daughters, one brother, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Lewis served his country in the United States Navy during WWII; he entered at the age of 17 in 1943 as Seaman, Gunners First Mate (GMIC). He was wounded in the Pacific Ocean area. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross aboard the USS LCI (G) 561. He was discharged in 1945.
His great love in life was model railroads and railroad history.
Lewis retired from B.F. Goodrich in 1986. He was assistant fire chief for the Henry Fire Dept for many years. He was a member of Henry American Legion Post 323, B.F. Goodrich Retiree Club and the Historical Society of Princeton, Il.
Visitation was Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home, 513 Carroll St., Henry, Ill. Funeral service was Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, Henry, with full military rites by the Henry American Legion.
The above obit is from the Peoria Journal Star 10/26/2009
Lewis's Citation for Bravery:
Third Amphibious Force
U. S. Pacific Fleet
Flagship of the Commander
In the name of the President of the United States and by direction of the Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, the Commander Third Amphibious Force, United States Pacific Fleet takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lewis Wabel Jr., Gunner's Mate Second Class, United States Naval Reserve, for service as set in the following citation:
"For distinguishing himself by extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy as gun captain of a 20 millimeter gun on an LCI gunboat during the rocket and gun bombardment of Leyte Island on 20 October 1944, while leading in the first assault wave of an invasion force. When a misfire occurred in the breach of his gun and a full magazine was left in place by the crew, he coolly stepped forward and, disregarding his own personal safety, unshipped the magazine and threw it over the side. The misfire exploded in his face, inflicting severe powder burns and lacerations. By his action in the face of danger he averted a serious explosion and probably saved the lives of his gun crew and others nearby. His courage and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval service."
T. S. Wilkinson,
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
He married Virginia Ann Barth on June 21, 1947, at St. Mary's Church in Henry, Ill. She preceded him in death on Aug. 22, 2000. His parents, two brothers and three sisters also preceded him in death. Surviving are one son, two daughters, one brother, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Lewis served his country in the United States Navy during WWII; he entered at the age of 17 in 1943 as Seaman, Gunners First Mate (GMIC). He was wounded in the Pacific Ocean area. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross aboard the USS LCI (G) 561. He was discharged in 1945.
His great love in life was model railroads and railroad history.
Lewis retired from B.F. Goodrich in 1986. He was assistant fire chief for the Henry Fire Dept for many years. He was a member of Henry American Legion Post 323, B.F. Goodrich Retiree Club and the Historical Society of Princeton, Il.
Visitation was Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home, 513 Carroll St., Henry, Ill. Funeral service was Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, Henry, with full military rites by the Henry American Legion.
The above obit is from the Peoria Journal Star 10/26/2009
Lewis's Citation for Bravery:
Third Amphibious Force
U. S. Pacific Fleet
Flagship of the Commander
In the name of the President of the United States and by direction of the Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, the Commander Third Amphibious Force, United States Pacific Fleet takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lewis Wabel Jr., Gunner's Mate Second Class, United States Naval Reserve, for service as set in the following citation:
"For distinguishing himself by extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy as gun captain of a 20 millimeter gun on an LCI gunboat during the rocket and gun bombardment of Leyte Island on 20 October 1944, while leading in the first assault wave of an invasion force. When a misfire occurred in the breach of his gun and a full magazine was left in place by the crew, he coolly stepped forward and, disregarding his own personal safety, unshipped the magazine and threw it over the side. The misfire exploded in his face, inflicting severe powder burns and lacerations. By his action in the face of danger he averted a serious explosion and probably saved the lives of his gun crew and others nearby. His courage and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval service."
T. S. Wilkinson,
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
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