Title Page & Abstract
An Interview with A. Robert Abboud
Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Veterans Remember Oral History project
Interview # VRK-A-L-2007-021
A. Robert Abboud, a Marine lieutenant during the Korean War, was interviewed on the dates listed below as part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library’s Veterans Remember—Korean War Oral History project.
Interview date & location:
Date: September 26, 2007 Location: Robert Abboud office, Fox River Grove, IL
Interview Format: Digital audio
Interviewer: Mark R. DePue, Director of Oral History, ALPL
Technical Support (cameraman, etc): N/A
Transcription by: Voss Transcriptions
Edited by: Mark DePue
Total Time: 2 hrs, 12 minutes Total Pages: 40
Accessioned into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Archives on 11/26/2007.
The interview is archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
Abstract
A. Robert Abboud, Veterans Remember, VRK-A-L-2007-021
Biographical Information & Synopsis: A. Robert Abboud was born on May 29, 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts of Lebanese parents. He grew up in Boston and Hampton, Virginia, and earned a scholarship to Harvard in 1947, where he also joined the Naval ROTC. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the Marine Corps, and from April 1952 through May 1953 served in Korea with the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Lieutenant Abboud saw action in the western sector of the line, specifically at the following engagements: the Hook, the Nevada complex, including Reno, Carson, Hill 229, the Three Fingers and Bunker Hill. At one time, his unit overlooked the Panmunjom Armistice talks site. Mr. Abboud discussed both defensive and offensive operations, against Chinese forces in some detail, and discusses his wounds during an engagement at the Hook in July of 1952. He discusses leading patrols and reconnaissance missions into no-man’s land, and also an R & R in Japan. Abboud also discussed an incident where Lieutenant Allen Dulles, son of the then CIA Director Allen Dulles, suffered a serious head wound. Following the war, Mr. Abboud attended law school on the G.I. Bill, the Harvard School of Business before moving to Chicago, finding work with the First National Bank of Chicago.
Topics Covered: Marine lieutenant during the Korean War; Boston, MA; Hampton, Virginia; 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division; Amelia Earhart; the Nevada Complex, Korean War; the Three Fingers, Korean War; the Hook, Korean war; Reno, Korean War; Carson, Korean War; Hill 229 and Bunker Hill; Panmunjom, Korea; tactics during the Korean War; Allen Dulles.
Note to the Reader: Readers of the oral history memoir should bear in mind that this is a transcript of the spoken word, and that the interviewer, interviewee and editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein. We leave these for the reader to judge.
COPYRIGHT
The following material can be used for educational and other non-commercial purposes without the written permission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. “Fair use” criteria of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 must be followed. These materials are not to be deposited in other repositories, nor used for resale or commercial purposes without the authorization from the Audio-Visual Curator at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. Telephone (217) 785-7955
© 2007 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library