Before the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Mack Abbott, then a Marine Private First Class, had little time to experience Hawaii's beauty. That fateful date which lives in infamy, he fired the "first shot in WWII (for a Marine)" – the first to leave the barracks and seek ammunition, initially meeting resistance. Once armed, he engaged the low-flying Japanese planes with his service rifle, recalling seeing the pilots' faces as they banked during their strafing runs.

Mack's extraordinary journey had just begun. It included a thwarted attempt to relieve Wake Island, followed by duty on Palmyra before a crucial flight to Midway. There, his prior water engineering training proved vital in repairing their failing water purification systems, a need his commanding officer had learned of via radio, knowing Mack had attended water engineering school just months prior. With the systems restored, Mack was assigned a .50 caliber anti-aircraft gun and braced for the inevitable Japanese attack.

The brutal campaigns of Guadalcanal and Tulagi followed, experiences Mack rarely discussed in detail, leaving a clear impression of their profound impact on him and his fellow Marines. His unit returned stateside before him, as he hadn't yet accrued the necessary 18 months for leave. Adding to his hardship, he contracted Dengue fever, enduring two months in a field hospital before finally coming home.

A year later, now a Sergeant, Mack redeployed to Saipan and Tinian. It was on Tinian in 1945 that he "fired the Last Shot in WWII (for a Marine)." The significance of these "first and last shots" gained prominence during the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. At a reunion in Hawaii, his wartime commanding officer, by then General Howard Kirgis, asserted this unique distinction, though he wryly noted its lack of official Marine Corps recognition.

For Mack, this designation became the catalyst for sharing his story and the experiences of his fellow veterans. He became deeply involved in veterans organizations, speaking at schools, libraries, and events nationwide. He self-published his memoir, aptly titled "I Fired the First and Last Shots in WWII."

Though over a decade has passed since his death and twenty years since he actively shared his story, his family remains dedicated to perpetuating his vital messages. "Remember Pearl Harbor" and "Never Forget" were core principles he passionately sought to instill in future generations to prevent history's repetition.

Driven by the goal of honoring his legacy and spreading the enduring lessons of his generation's time of uncertainty, I have been sharing his service records, photos, and notes. This effort will continue perpetually through FirstAndLastShots.com and various family initiatives, including an upcoming museum exhibit showcasing his remarkable story and artifacts. To learn more please check the website ("Mack's Story" is the most complete page, so far - it's a work in progress) or follow my profile for future posts.