Amanda Sue Abbott

1988 - 2013

Navy
Iraq War

Their Story

            Amanda Sue Abbott was born on May 4, 1988, to Kevin Eugene and Robbin Lynn (Jackson) Abbott in Davenport, Iowa. Her educational background included Davenport West High School, from which she graduated in 2006,[1] and Kaplan University, where she earned a degree in human services.[2] It was in the computer lab at Davenport West High School where Abbott decided to pursue service in the military. Her friend, Angelica Zielstorf, recollects how Abbott saw a pair of dolphins in an online ad for the United States Navy. Abbott loved dolphins, and so convinced her friend that the two of them should join the Navy after high school. Although the reasoning may seem benign or even comical, Abbott followed through and served for four years during the Iraq War period.[3]

            Abbott served as a gunner’s mate in the U.S. Navy during the Iraq War insurgency period. The U.S. invasion of Iraq began on March 20, 2003. Fifteen thousand Navy personnel on ships assisted the five-week invasion, which toppled the government of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. After the invasion ended, a period began during which a guerilla campaign was waged by Al-Qaeda-inspired fighters against U.S. troops.[4] It was during this phase of the conflict in which Abbott served. Her role as a gunner’s mate saw her maintain and operate all of the mounted guns, guided missiles, torpedoes, rocket launchers, and other weapons systems that were vital to the defense of Naval vessels if they came under attack by enemy forces.[5] Abbott’s service as a gunner’s mate helped to ensure that Naval operations could be successfully completed without fear of enemy reprisal. According to Zielstorf, Abbott loved her job as a gunner’s mate.[6]

            After four years of service to her country in the Navy, Abbott returned to Davenport to make a new life for herself and her daughter, Destiny. She worked at Bath and Body Works as a manager. She maintained an active social life and had many hobbies: “Amanda loved taking her daughter to the park and spending time with her family and friends playing Wii and board games. She also enjoyed getting her hair and nails done, dolphins, going to SeaWorld in San Diego, watching the LA Lakers and San Francisco 49ers play, as well as reading.”[7]

Abbott’s father, Kevin, passed away at home in Oquawka, Illinois, in March of 2013 at the age of 54,[8] an event which deeply impacted her and which she was still in the process of recovering from emotionally at the time of her own death. On June 22, 2013, Abbott was killed by a gunshot wound to the head inflicted by an ex-boyfriend. Her five-year old daughter was upstairs at the time. The crime was ruled a manslaughter, and the man was sentenced to twelve years in prison.[9] Friends and family remember Abbott as a bright young woman who would have given the world to her daughter: “She cherished her daughter… Loved her and did anything in her power to take care of her. Whatever she needed, she made sure she had it.”[10] Amanda Sue Abbott leaves behind the legacy of a brave U.S. naval defender, and a loving friend, daughter, sister, and mother.

Amanda Sue Abbott’s memorial page – Honor Veterans Legacies at VLM (va.gov)


[1] 10 May 2006, 49 – Quad-City Times at Newspapers.com

[2] “GM3 Amanda Sue Abbott,” Find a Grave, June 25, 2013, GM3 Amanda Sue Abbott (1988-2013) – Find a Grave Memorial.

[3] Brian Wellner, “Abbott’s Killer Sentenced to Prison,” The Quad-City Times, February 20, 2014,  Abbott’s killer sentenced to prison (qctimes.com).

[4] “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Naval History and Heritage Command, August 6, 2020, Operation Iraqi Freedom (navy.mil).

[5] “U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate Careers,” Gunner’s Mate (Navy Recruiting Command), accessed September 10, 2022, U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate Careers | Navy.com.

[6] Brian Wellner, “Abbott’s Killer Sentenced to Prison,” The Quad-City Times, February 20, 2014, Abbott’s killer sentenced to prison (qctimes.com).

[7]  “GM3 Amanda Sue Abbott,” Find a Grave, June 25, 2013, GM3 Amanda Sue Abbott (1988-2013) – Find a Grave Memorial.

[8] 25 Mar 2013, 7 – The Rock Island Argus at Newspapers.com

[9] John David, “Relatives Remember Davenport Woman Killed by Gunfire,” wqad.com, June 22, 2013, Relatives remember Davenport woman killed by gunfire | wqad.com; Brian Wellner, “Abbott’s Killer Sentenced to Prison,” The Quad-City Times, February 20, 2014, Abbott’s killer sentenced to prison (qctimes.com).

[10] John David, “Relatives Remember Davenport Woman Killed by Gunfire,” wqad.com, June 22, 2013, Relatives remember Davenport woman killed by gunfire | wqad.com.