Stockton WWII Hero Dies After Savage Break-In Beating [View All]

Stockton WWII Hero Dies After Savage Break-In Beating




A former World War II hero pilot severely beaten during a break-in in his Stockton apartment three weeks ago died Friday from his injuries, Stockton Police officials said.

Allen Fairbanks, 85, died at 7 a.m. Friday from serious internal injuries he suffered in the May attack, Stockton Police Officer Pete Smith said. The beating happened at Fairbanks' North Sutter St. apartment during the late night or early morning hours of May 17 or 18.

After joining the Navy in 1941, Fairbanks began a distinguished career as a fighter pilot. In April 1942, Fairbanks supplied air cover for bombers during the first raid of Tokyo. Two months later, Allen and his F4F Wildcat fighter were in the thick of air combat during the Battle of Midway, the decisive U.S. victory over Japan in the Pacific war theatre.

Fairbanks also flew strafing runs over Japanese-held islands with famed war hero and Chicago airport namesake Butch O'Hare and was later profiled in Life Magazine.

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