Nicholas Faraone Jr., of Islip, never met his father because he was killed in action during World War II.

On Nov. 8, 1944, Army Air Force Sgt. Nicholas Faraone Sr. was on his first mission when his  Boeing B-29 super fortress burst into blames and crashed into the Pacific near Iwo Jima. He was 21.

“He loved America more than anything. After Pearl Harbor, him and all his brothers joined up to go into the Army and to fight for America,” said Faraone Jr.

MORE: Mom says fallen Navy SEAL was a hero long before his service

Faraone Jr. was born three months after his father made the ultimate sacrifice. As a young boy, Faraone Jr. learned about his fallen father through other people’s memories and the letters his father wrote to his wife, Josephine. In his last letter, Faraone Sr. expressed his excitement about becoming a first time father.  He hoped to have a son and wrote:

“Darling, please name the baby Nicholas…I’ll keep praying for you and you’re going to have a beautiful baby. Just wait and see.”

Faraone Jr. also has recordings of his father’s singing voice from his days as a professional tenor. The letters, photos and recordings help Faraone Jr. get to know a father he never knew but will always be proud of.

“When people have lost somebody the way we keep them alive is by thinking of them and talking about them. I’m very proud of my father. He was a hero and a hero to his country,” said Faraone Jr.