George Toriello sent me this material on January 10, 2020 on Charles L. Merlo whose name is on the Plaque at City Hall in Hackensack, but his name was not listed on the
Original Wall Unit at Hackensack High School. 

According to the Military records from the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial where he is buried, Charles L. Merlo was born on September 21, 1919 in Hackensack, New Jersey.  According to Navy records, he registered for the draft on May 16, 1940 at the age of almost 21.  We do not have the record of when he started his service, but he was serving on board the USS Windham Bay CVE-92 on September 2, 1944 as a (AMM 2nd class) which is an Aviation Machinists Mate 2nd class.  Less than three months later, he was Missing in Action on November 25, 1944.  According to the military records, his father Samuel S. Merlo was living at 127 Hudson Street in Hackensack when his son was Missing in Action.  According to military records, his body was never recovered and the day he was Missing in Action is the day of his death,
November 25, 1944. 
 
Charles L. Merlo is memorialized at the Manilia American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines Memorial ID 56789823.  What happened on the fateful day of November 25, 1944 to Charles L. Merlo at the age of 25, while serving in the Navy, we do not know, but let us never forget his sacrifice.

Written by:
Bob Meli
February 24, 2020

Background image of USS Windham Bay CVE-92 obtained from: https://www.navsource.org/archives/03/092.htm

Banner image of World War II battleship obtained from:
http://www.clipartbest.com/clipart-nTEB7LAkc