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| Distinguished Service Cross hero Lt. Harold Ditter served with the 60th Infantry Regiment from North Africa to Normandy. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75179230/harold-j-ditter https://www.pinterest.com/pin/538672805405843140/ |
Harold was born April 30, 1919 in Taycheedah, Wisconsin. His parents Henry and Mary were also born in Wisconsin. His father was a farmer. Harold had one older brother, three younger brothers, and two younger sisters. In 1940, Harold had completed an eighth grade education and was living at home and working on the family farm.
Harold enlisted in the US Army in October 1940 and served in the 60th Infantry Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division. The 60th IR began combat operations during Operation Torch, spearheading the November 1942 Allied invasion of North Africa. During the 60th Infantry’s drive along the Tunisia-Algeria border, the regiment captured a German general's diary. In his account of American actions against the Germans, the general wrote, "Look at those devils go!". The 60th Infantry thereafter became known as the "Go Devils".
MSgt. Ditter was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second highest award for valor, for his actions during the North African campaign. The citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Master Sergeant] Harold J. Ditter (ASN: 0-885779), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action at Tunisia, on April 1943.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Master Sergeant] Harold J. Ditter (ASN: 0-885779), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action at Tunisia, on April 1943.
Defying enemy rifle and mortar fire, Lieutenant Ditter made continued and ceaseless visits to all men in numerous positions to insure they had food and water. He was invaluable to his company commander in the reorganization of the defense position the enemy had penetrated.
When the attached medical aidman became a casualty, Lieutenant Ditter, at the risk of his own life, gave first aid and evacuated the wounded. His courage and clear thinking and never-ceasing energy under fire is an example for all Non-Commissioned Officers throughout the service.
The 60th Infantry next took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily from August to November 1943, then was redeployed to England to prepare for the invasion of Europe. At some point, MSgt Ditter received a battlefield promotion to 2nd Lieutenant. On 11 June 1944, the 60th Infantry went ashore at Utah Beach in Normandy, France and spearheaded the American advance out of the beachhead. Lt. Ditter was killed in action on 13 July 1944 during the battle of Saint-Lô in France. I was unable to find any details of his death.
Harold J. Ditter is buried in St. Peter’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Saint Peter, Wisconsin.
Thank you Lt. Ditter for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Harold.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
The 60th Infantry next took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily from August to November 1943, then was redeployed to England to prepare for the invasion of Europe. At some point, MSgt Ditter received a battlefield promotion to 2nd Lieutenant. On 11 June 1944, the 60th Infantry went ashore at Utah Beach in Normandy, France and spearheaded the American advance out of the beachhead. Lt. Ditter was killed in action on 13 July 1944 during the battle of Saint-Lô in France. I was unable to find any details of his death.
Harold J. Ditter is buried in St. Peter’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Saint Peter, Wisconsin.
Thank you Lt. Ditter for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Harold.
_____
This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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