Joseph E. Fasone was born on February 8, 1923. He was the son of Edward Fasone. He served in the 749th Bomb Squadron, 457th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner of B-17 (42-97537) known as "Chicken Ship" during World War II.

On April 9, 1944, during a mission targeting Marienburg (now Malbork, Poland), the plane encountered heavy enemy resistance. After taking flak damage over the target area, "Chicken Ship" lost engine power and fell behind its formation. Three German Focke-Wulf FW 190 fighters attacked, striking the aircraft and forcing the crew to abandon it. All of the crew parachuted safely and became POWs except Flight Engineer Fasone who was instantly killed. He was found dead with an open parachute. TSgt Fasone is now buried in the Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA.

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