The name John Hovey Fitch appears in the National Archives and Records Administration listing of service men who died during World War II and who declared Santa Cruz County, California, as their residence. His link with Santa Cruz was possibly through his wife, Marie Magdalene Fitch, who lived in Santa Cruz.

The date and place of Fitch's birth, along with his parents and siblings, have not been identified It is believed that he was a resident of Pierce County, Washington.

The date of John Fitch's enlistment in the US Navy has not been established, but it is likely he received training at the US Naval Training Center in San Diego. Following boot camp, he received additional instruction to qualify as a radioman. By the fall of 1942, Fitch had risen to the rank of Aviation Chief Radioman and was serving in the Pacific Theatre.

On October 14, 1942, Chief Radioman John Hovey Fitch was listed as missing in action in the Pacific and on December 4, 1945, he was declared dead.

(ABMC; AAIR, ACGEN;)