Mr. Abbott's Wars: The Life and Times of Rochester's Leading Cold Warrior and Most Decorated Soldier (Rochester History, Special Double Issue, Fall 2014, Vol. 76, No. 2; Spring 2015, Vol. 77, No. 1)

47 pp. Known as "Rochester's most decorated soldier," Robert Noe Abbott (1915-1964) served in both the Second World War and Korea. He rose through the ranks of the U.S. Army from Private First Class to Lieutenant Colonel. Along the way, Abbott earned numerous awards and medals, including three Purple Hearts, the French Croix de Guerre, four Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars, and a Cross for Conspicuous Service. Doubtlessly, the gravest challenge that Abbott faced during his military career came when he was captured by communist forces while serving on the front lines of the Korean War. After surviving 33 grueling months in Prisoner of War (POW) camps, Abbott returned to Rochester in September 1953, having become an ardent defender of America's anti-communist interests in the Cold War. He devoted the remaining years of his life to this cause, accepting the position of Monroe County Director of Civil Defense. It was in this capacity that Abbott's life came to an abrupt and tragic end. He died from injuries sustained from a helicopter crash while surveying Rochester's racial uprising in July 1964. - Rochester Voices