John Carrabus
Company C,
359th Infantry, 90th Division
Middle Island
John Carrabus was born in 1924 in
Flushing, New York. He is the fourth child born to John and
Josephine Carrabus. His family moved to Middle Island in 1932. John
attended school here in the Longwood School District. The school was
located right next door to the family’s house. John helped his
parents and brothers work the farm for many years. Before the war
his occupation was listed as an automobile serviceman. He entered
the service on August 24, 1944 at New York City. Carrabus was
assigned to Company C, 359th
Infantry, 90th
Division. This division was part of General George
Patton’s third army. The division saw action in the Ardennes Forest
as part of the relief column at the Battle of the Bulge. On April
23, 1945 the 90th Division captured the Flossenburg
Concentration Camp finding about 1,500 prisoners. The division was
recognized as a liberating unit by the U.S. Army’s Center of
Military History and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in
1985. Carrabus received many awards including a Marksman Badge with
rifle. The European-African Middle Eastern Medal with two Bronze
Service Stars, A Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and
Army Occupation Medal. He was discharged from the service on July5,
1946 at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
John made his home in
Middle Island across the street from his parent’s home and farm. He
settled there with his wife Lottie, whom he had met in Germany
during his service time. John worked in construction operating heavy
equipment He was involved in a construction accident resulting in
his death on May 2, 1963.
Written by,
Alyssa Liguori
January, 2006