Eugene Fetzer served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) during World War II. He was pilot of a F6F-5 Hellcat with Squadron 17 aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12) in the Pacific. He was reported as missing in action on February 17, 1945 after his plane was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire over Honshu Island, Japan and reportedly landed some 100 miles offshore. A search conducted by the Navy was unsuccessful. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
