World War II Honoree

Charles Gonzalez

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Newark, New Jersey

Honored By

Camille Gaeta

Relationship

Daughter

Enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 at age 20. Served 3 years aboard the destroyer USS Renshaw DD-499. Was in all the battles in the Pacific Theater working the Fire Room aboard the Renshaw which was torpedoed February 1945. He could have been killed; the torpedo struck the aft engine room killing 19 boys. Spent 19 months fighting in the Mariana Islands, Bougainville, and Tinian. He is 82 now and in a nursing home.