Charles J. Fay

MAJOR CHARLES J. FAY born in 1909 in Pensylvania 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 by 1930 was a wire chief. Charles Fay was the youngest of three brothers. He grew up in Haddon Township, and was a 1928 graduate of Collingswood (NJ) 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. Oldest brother William Fay had ventured out on his own. He was called to active duty in the Army as a First Lieutenant in November 23, 1940. He had worked for RCA in Camden prior to entering the Army. 

Charles Fay 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 a 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. Also surviving were 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. 

November 27, 1947

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Gertrude Fay is seated,
on the far right

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Photos Courtesy Of
Von Lechner

Click on Image
to Enlarge

Photos Courtesy Of
Von Lechner