Career
Tabberer enlisted in the United States. Naval Reserve on 12 October 1939 and was appointed an aviation cadet on 11 January 1940. Following flight training at Pensacola, Florida, and Miami, Florida, Cadet Tabberer was designated a naval aviator on 1 November. He was commissioned an ensign in the Naval Reserve on 12 December.
After further training at San Diego, California, he was ordered to report to Fighting Squadron 5 (VF-6) which was then assigned to United States Ship Yorktown (CV-5).
Ens. Tabberer served with VF-6 throughout his short naval career. Promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) on 29 May 1942, his squadron was assigned to United States Ship Saratoga (CV-3) for the invasion of Guadalcanal in the southern Solomon Islands.
Lieutenant (jg) Tabberer was one of the 11 "Wildcat" (F4F) pilots lost when elements of the Japanese 26th Air Flotilla opposed the Guadalcanal invasion force on 7 August.
Through the efforts of Tabberer and his comrades, the Japanese aerial forces were beaten back. United States Ship Tabberer (Delaware-418) was laid down at Houston, Texas, on 12 January 1944 by the Brown Shipbuilding Company
Launched on 18 February 1944, sponsored by Mistress Mary M. Tabberer, and commissioned on 23 May 1944, Lieutenant
Commander Henry Lee Plage, United States Naval Reserve, in command.