Charles J. Fay
Charles J. Fay of Westmont (Haddon Township), NJ.
Rank: Major, U.S. Army
Serial Number: 0-334131
Unit: Headquarters, U.S. Army Service of Supply
Entered service from: New Jersey
Died:
Status: Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Memorial: Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Major Charles J. Fay was born in Pennsylvania in 1909 to William and Annie A. Fay. By 1930 the family had moved to 440 Melrose Avenue in Haddon Township, NJ. His father worked for the Bell Telephone Company and was a wire chief by 1930. Charles was the youngest of three brothers. He grew up in Haddon Township and was a 1928 graduate of Collingswood High School. By 1930 both he and his older brother George G. Fay were working as lawyers, George in a law office and Charles for Bell Telephone. He later worked for RCA in Camden prior to entering the Army.
Charles Fay was called to active duty as a First Lieutenant on November 23, 1940. He served with the infantry at Fort Dix until July of 1941, when he was transferred to the Signal Corps and sent to Harvard and MIT for training in radar systems. Promoted rapidly, he remained in Massachusetts as an instructor at the radar schools until October 3, 1943, when he was sent overseas, with Australia being his intended destination.
Major Fay was en route to New Guinea when his plane was lost on February 2, 1944, in the Coral Sea. He was survived by his wife, Gertrude, of 106 Virginia Avenue, Westmont, NJ, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Fay, of 440 Melrose Avenue, Westmont, NJ.
Mrs. Gertrude Fay became a charter member of the Camden County Chapter of the Gold Star Wives of World War II in November of 1947.
Charter Members at Meeting of Gold Star Wives
Camden Courier-Post —
WHEN the Camden County Chapter of Gold Star Wives of War II, organized Monday night, these charter members attended. Seated from left to right are Mrs. Caroline Smura, Mt. Ephraim; Mrs. Marion Rheinen, Lawnside; Mrs. Marie Madnick, Merchantville; and Mrs. Lucille Hernandes and Mrs. Gertrude Fay, both of Westmont. Standing from left to right are Mrs. Sadie H. Oswald, Camden; Mrs. Lillian A. Lockwood and Mrs. Dorothy M. Ware, both of Haddonfield; Mrs. Katherine Palmer, Camden, an honorary member; Mrs. Agnes Bruce, Pennsauken; Mrs. Beth Hartline and Mrs. Margaret Murray, both of Camden; and Mrs. Evelyn Reck, Audubon.
Mrs. Kendall, organizer of the group, was named temporary coordinator of the local chapter in the area.
Photos
The Fay family residences in Westmont (Haddon Township), NJ: 106 Virginia Avenue (home of Gertrude Fay, May 2004) and 440 Melrose Avenue (home of William and Annie Fay, July 2004).