Charles E. Walters Elementary School

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 90^th 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