World War II Honoree

George Adam Fassler, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Newport, Kentucky

Honored By

Daughter

AWARDED THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS MEDAL FOR GALLANT AND INTREPID CONDUCT BEYOND THE NORMAL CALL OF DUTY IN COURAGEOUSLY DISARMING AN UNEXPLODED ENEMY JAPANESE 5.24 INCH SHELL AT THE OIL REFINERY LOCATED AT ELWOOD, CALIFORNIA, ON THE NIGHT OF 2/23/42. WHEN A SHELL FROM AN ENEMY SUBMARINE STRUCK A CLAY BANK ABOVE THE OIL STATION, FAILED TO EXPLODE AND RICOCHETED FROM THE BANK TO A WOODEN PIER WHEN IT CAME TO REST, HE WAS SELECTED AS THE MAN BEST QUALIFIED FOR THE TASK OF DISARMING IT. WITH FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES AND IN THE FACE OF WARNINGS AS TO THE DANGEROUS CHARACTER OF THE PROJECTILE, HE COOLLY APPROACHED THE SHELL IN THE SPACE WHERE IT HAD BEEN ROPED OFF, AND FEARLESSLY DISARMED IT BY REMOVING THE FUSE. HIS COURAGEOUS ACTION, PERFORMED AT THE PERIL OF HIS OWN LIFE, PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE THOROUGH STUDY OF THE RECOVERED SHELL AND WAS OF GREAT VALUE TO THE NAVAL SERVICE.