Sioux Cityan in Navy Lauds Spirit of Troops in A.E.F.
William Abrak, Home on Leave, Says Men Ready To Do Duty
Praise of the spirit and discipline of the American troops he has helped to convoy to Greenland, Iceland and Ireland, as a coxswain in the United States navy was expressed by William Abrak, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Abrak, 715 Fairmount Street, in an interview at his parents’ home, where he is spending a short leave.
“They take the trip as though it were a luxury cruise,” young Abrak said in speaking of the soldiers. “They realize the seriousness of their jobs but they have a good time in doing it.”
Abrak, who enlisted in the navy in 1936 following his graduation from East High School, joined the naval reserve in 1940 after serving the four-year period. He was called back into active duty in April 1941.
He was assigned to convoy duty with the first contingent of troops to be sent to Greenland. His second voyage, said Abrak, carried him above the Arctic Circle. He also was on troop convoy duty to Iceland and Ireland.
Abrak’s ship also evacuated Americans from San Lucia of the Virgin Island group, and from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In his first enlistment young Abrak attended the submarine school at New London, Conn. And for two years was assigned to submarine duty.
Another son of Mr. and Mrs. Abrak, Walter, is a radio operator in the army air corps at Scott field, Illinois.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 14, 1942 (photo included)
William George Abrak was born Jan. 12, 1918 to George and Sophia Sakovich Abrak. He died Sept. 3, 1942 and is buried in Graceland Park Cemetery, Sioux City, IA.
Petty Officer Abrak served in World War II with the U.S. Navy and died of injuries received in a fall while in the service of his country.
Sources: ancestry.com
