In memory of our brother Fireman Abram Garvis:

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
1500 ARMY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20310-1500

Proclamation To Honor Private First Class Abram (Abie) Garvis, Killed in action March 14, 1944

March 3, 2003

TO ALL THOSE WHO HEAR THESE PRESENTS GREETINGS:

When Private First Class Abram Garvis enlisted Jan. 31, 1942, he knew that he
wanted to do the right thing. Private First Class Garvis demonstrated outstanding
strength of character and courageous, selfless acts of heroism.
Abie, as he was known in his hometown of Bedford Hills, New York, was a
Volunteer Fireman. He was active in the Bedford Hills Athletic Club as both an athlete
and a referee, and was a local businessman. He voluntarily umpired basketball and
baseball. Finally, Abie was a soldier in the United States Army.

Review with me this hero's journey. At the time of his enlistment, the 37th
The Infantry Division arrived on the Fiji Islands in June 1942 to fortify the islands against
possible invasion, moving on to Guadalcanal in April 1943 to continue training and
Staging for the Munda campaign.

Following the Papuan and Guadalcanal campaigns, there was a five-month lull for
ground forces as the Allies prepared for the second phase of the drive on Rabaul.
During this period, the Japanese made a major effort to reinforce their positions in the
Solomon Islands and New Guinea

The advance in the Solomons under Admiral Halsey's command started from
Guadalcanal, where air support was based on Henderson Field, and moved toward the
Japanese air base at Munda on New Georgia Island, about 200 miles north. Landings on
New Georgia began as early as June 20, 1943, when Marines, followed by Army forces
the next day, landed at Segi Point and moved overland to take Viru Harbor on July 1.
With Munda as its objective, the attack began on June 10, 1943 (D-Day for this
phase of the operation) with landings on Rendova Island, just off New Georgia and near
Munda. From Rendova, Marine and Army forces invaded New Georgia and closed on
the Japanese base at Munda, which fell Aug. 5, 1943.

Another Japanese strong point at Bairoko Harbor, eight miles north of Munda, fell
on Aug. 25. Kolombangara was bypassed with the landing of the Army, Marine, and New
Zealand troops on Vella Lavella and Arundel Islands.

The next major operation was an invasion of the island of Bougainville, which
was approached by landings at Mono and Stirling in the Treasury Islands, Oct. 25-27,
1943. A Marine division landed on the west coast of Bougainville at Empress Augusta Bay
Bay on Nov. 1, 1943. The Marines were followed within the month by an Army division
and replaced in the next month by another Army division.

It was late November before the beachhead at Empress Augusta Bay was
secure. Allied planes neutralized enemy airfields in the northern part of the island. The
Allied command made use of its naval and air superiority to contain the Japanese
garrison on Bougainville. By occupying the Green Islands, the Allies cut off the
Japanese supply line to Rabaul (Feb. 14, 1944).

Despite these measures, the Japanese maintained pressure against the
beachhead, mounting an especially heavy but unsuccessful counterattack as late as
March 1944.

Success at Bougainville isolated all Japanese forces left in the Solomons. The
Japanese sustained comparatively heavy air and naval losses during the campaign that
further crippled the Japanese Combined Fleet, which had a vital effect on the balance of
Naval power in the Central Pacific.

During this conflict at Bougainville, our brother-in-arms, Private First Class Abram
(Abie) Garvis suffered serious wounds on March 10, 1944, and died on March 14, 1944.
As you gather here to honor this Soldier, do so to recognize his acts of valor,
which go so far beyond human comprehension that none of us can explain them.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, COLONEL RICHARD H. BREEN, JR., of the Army Public
Affairs, do hereby proclaim Private First Class Abram Garvis to be recognized as a great
An American who sacrificed his life in service to the United States Army for the
preservation of those liberties enjoyed by every man, woman, and child living in the
United States of America. AND, herewith, the United States Army salutes the Bedford
Hills Fire Department in celebration of 100 years of service.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 3rd day of March
2003, in the year of our Lord two thousand and three.

COLONEL RICHARD H. BREEN, JR.
UNITED STATES ARMY PUBLIC AFFAIRS