World War II Honoree

Charles H. 'Herb' Fash

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

East St. Louis, Illinois

Honored By

Joe Arsena

SERVED ON THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS HANCOCK IN THE PACIFIC. ON FEBRUARY 21, 1945, AT AROUND 1.30PM OFF THE COAST OF OKINAWA, A GRUMMAN TBF AVENGER, RETURNING FROM A SORTIE, MADE A NORMAL LANDING, TAXIED AND DISINTEGRATED IN A BLINDING EXPLOSION AS ONE OF ITS 500-POUND BOMBS EXPLODED. HE AND FIFTY-TWO MEN WERE KILLED. HE WAS 28 YEARS OLD AND BURIED AT SEA AND IS REMEMBERED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.