BAYONNE – Henry Sanchez, a highly decorated veteran of World War II, and one of the sailors involved with the D-Day Allied invasion of Normandy Beach in France in 1944, died on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the Center for Hospice in Scotch Plains. Sanchez was 88.
He served as signalman in the U.S. Navy, using lights and flags to communicate with other ships.
Sanchez received many honors for his military service, most recently being named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the president of France in 2013. The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon in 1802.
Sanchez was involved with several veterans groups and nonprofit organizations in the city.
He later received additional notoriety when his house was used in the filming of Steven Spielberg’s 2005 film “War of the Worlds.” Tom Cruise starred in the movie.
Sanchez’s wake will be held at Fryczynski and Son Funeral Home in Bayonne on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 4 from 4 to 9 p.m. His funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Bayonne.
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