Charles Philhower - Fire Apprentice

Hometown:
Denville
D.O.B.:
April 12, 1945
County:
Not Available
Rank:
Fire Apprentice
Branch:
Navy
Date of Casualty:

December 6, 1965

Casualty Status:
Killed In Action
Country of Incident:
Not Available

Charles Albert Philhower was born on April 12, 1945. His home of record is Denville, NJ. He grew up in the Beacon Hill section of Denville and was a consummate outdoorsmen. He graduated in 1964 from Morris Hills High School. Charles was known as “Cappy” to his friends, enjoyed camping and fishing. According to his friends, he could always be found fishing in the Rockaway River during trout season.

Philhower served in the U.S. Navy and attained the rank of Fire Apprentice (FA).

Philhower was killed in action on December 6, 1965 while he was in the engine room of the USS Kitty Hawk, during combat operations off the coast of Vietnam. A flash fire occurred in the carrier’s No. 3 machinery room. To avoid an explosion an ammunition magazine was flooded. The blaze caused heavy damage aboard the ship. Philhower and FA Billy D. Hooper died as a result of smoke inhalation while fighting the fire
. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles William Philhower as well as two brothers and a sister survived him.

Information provided by NJVVMF and Morris Hills High School, coffeltdatabase.org, navysite.de.

12/17/2024

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