In Memory of…........... Corp Gene DiRita.
*** Company C, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam. At one time, served with Battalion Recon, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam. Awarded - Combat Infantry Badge.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
GENE DI RITA - Army - CPL - E4
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Sep 14, 1947
From: ROSEVILLE, MI
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Father: Eugene Fortunato Dirita Born Sept.9, 1920 and Died Dec. 6, 1993 in Roseville, Michigan, at the age of 73 yrs. Mother: Emma F. Dirita, Born Nov. 29, 1923 in Michigan and Died April 2, 2009 at the age of 86 yrs.
***** Gene, I wonder about you often. My dad was with you in Vietnam and your death is something that he can't speak of to this day. It is hard for him to see pictures of you because the memory is still so strong. I pray that your family has found some peace and that they know that you are not forgotten.
- Angelina Mancuso
Added: Jul. 30, 2013
***** Buried in same cemetery as Ted William Burroughs, a fellow C/2/60th soldier KIA along with Vincent P Langdon, B/2/60th
***** You were, a true Friend. Our times together, in school and Cruising Gratiot will, always be remembered. Our times at Fort Knox, were great also. You were, far to young and had such, a bright future. You paid the ultimate price, for your country in a land, far away. You will always, be a HERO, to me. Your Friend Always, Frank.
***** I remember the day at Saint Angela's church when they announced Gene had died in Vietnam. I was in the back of the church and I remember vividly a female friend of Gene's who left the church crying. Some things just get etched in your memory.
Robert Mahoney
CPL - E4 - Army - 9th Infantry Division
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Apr 7, 1967
Casualty was on Dec 10, 1967
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Panel 31E - Line 71
On December 10, 1967 Corp Gene DiRita, at the age of 20 years old became a ground casualty while in Long An, South Vietnam.
He was killed by a gernade explosion. Pfc. Dirita's father said his son was on a mission aboard a helicopter somewhere in Vietnam and stepped on a land mine while he was getting off the aircraft in the landing zone.
His body was recovered.
********************************
Their Holiday Joy Shattered ROSEVILLE –
Mr. And Mrs. Eugene Dirita felt their Christmas would be filled with extra joy this year because it was heralded by the arrival of their first grandchild on Friday. The joy was shattered on the same day when they received a Defense Department telegram notifying them that their only son, Army Pfc. Gene Derita, had been killed in action in Vietnam. Pfc. Dirita, 20, was killed on Dec. 10 while fighting with the 9th Infantry Division. His sister, Vicki, now Mrs. Rodney Beebe, of 33097 Browley, Warren, gave birth to a daughter, Kimberly, Friday at St. Joseph Hospital in Mount Clemens. Pfc. Dirita's father said his son was on a mission aboard a helicopter somewhere in Vietnam and stepped on a land mine while he was getting off the aircraft in the landing zone. Dirita was inducted into the Army in October, 1966 and had been in Vietnam since April 9. He graduated from Roseville High School in June, 1965. He worked at his father's firm, D and S wood processing, in St. Clair Shores, as a cabinetmaker before entering the Army. His last letter to arrive at the Dirita home at 25584 Normandy was dated, Dec. 9-one day before he died. His mother Emma, said he was "in excellent spirits and counting his days in Vietnam." Pfc. Dirita's last words to his family were: "P.S., MOM: Only 111 days left."
The Macomb Daily, December 16, 1967, front page
*************************
.
*** Company C, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam. At one time, served with Battalion Recon, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam. Awarded - Combat Infantry Badge.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
GENE DI RITA - Army - CPL - E4
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Sep 14, 1947
From: ROSEVILLE, MI
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Father: Eugene Fortunato Dirita Born Sept.9, 1920 and Died Dec. 6, 1993 in Roseville, Michigan, at the age of 73 yrs. Mother: Emma F. Dirita, Born Nov. 29, 1923 in Michigan and Died April 2, 2009 at the age of 86 yrs.
***** Gene, I wonder about you often. My dad was with you in Vietnam and your death is something that he can't speak of to this day. It is hard for him to see pictures of you because the memory is still so strong. I pray that your family has found some peace and that they know that you are not forgotten.
- Angelina Mancuso
Added: Jul. 30, 2013
***** Buried in same cemetery as Ted William Burroughs, a fellow C/2/60th soldier KIA along with Vincent P Langdon, B/2/60th
***** You were, a true Friend. Our times together, in school and Cruising Gratiot will, always be remembered. Our times at Fort Knox, were great also. You were, far to young and had such, a bright future. You paid the ultimate price, for your country in a land, far away. You will always, be a HERO, to me. Your Friend Always, Frank.
***** I remember the day at Saint Angela's church when they announced Gene had died in Vietnam. I was in the back of the church and I remember vividly a female friend of Gene's who left the church crying. Some things just get etched in your memory.
Robert Mahoney
CPL - E4 - Army - 9th Infantry Division
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Apr 7, 1967
Casualty was on Dec 10, 1967
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Panel 31E - Line 71
On December 10, 1967 Corp Gene DiRita, at the age of 20 years old became a ground casualty while in Long An, South Vietnam.
He was killed by a gernade explosion. Pfc. Dirita's father said his son was on a mission aboard a helicopter somewhere in Vietnam and stepped on a land mine while he was getting off the aircraft in the landing zone.
His body was recovered.
********************************
Their Holiday Joy Shattered ROSEVILLE –
Mr. And Mrs. Eugene Dirita felt their Christmas would be filled with extra joy this year because it was heralded by the arrival of their first grandchild on Friday. The joy was shattered on the same day when they received a Defense Department telegram notifying them that their only son, Army Pfc. Gene Derita, had been killed in action in Vietnam. Pfc. Dirita, 20, was killed on Dec. 10 while fighting with the 9th Infantry Division. His sister, Vicki, now Mrs. Rodney Beebe, of 33097 Browley, Warren, gave birth to a daughter, Kimberly, Friday at St. Joseph Hospital in Mount Clemens. Pfc. Dirita's father said his son was on a mission aboard a helicopter somewhere in Vietnam and stepped on a land mine while he was getting off the aircraft in the landing zone. Dirita was inducted into the Army in October, 1966 and had been in Vietnam since April 9. He graduated from Roseville High School in June, 1965. He worked at his father's firm, D and S wood processing, in St. Clair Shores, as a cabinetmaker before entering the Army. His last letter to arrive at the Dirita home at 25584 Normandy was dated, Dec. 9-one day before he died. His mother Emma, said he was "in excellent spirits and counting his days in Vietnam." Pfc. Dirita's last words to his family were: "P.S., MOM: Only 111 days left."
The Macomb Daily, December 16, 1967, front page
*************************
.
In Memory of…........... Corp Gene DiRita.
*** Company C, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam. At one time, served with Battalion Recon, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam. Awarded - Combat Infantry Badge.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
GENE DI RITA - Army - CPL - E4
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Sep 14, 1947
From: ROSEVILLE, MI
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Father: Eugene Fortunato Dirita Born Sept.9, 1920 and Died Dec. 6, 1993 in Roseville, Michigan, at the age of 73 yrs. Mother: Emma F. Dirita, Born Nov. 29, 1923 in Michigan and Died April 2, 2009 at the age of 86 yrs.
***** Gene, I wonder about you often. My dad was with you in Vietnam and your death is something that he can't speak of to this day. It is hard for him to see pictures of you because the memory is still so strong. I pray that your family has found some peace and that they know that you are not forgotten.
- Angelina Mancuso
Added: Jul. 30, 2013
***** Buried in same cemetery as Ted William Burroughs, a fellow C/2/60th soldier KIA along with Vincent P Langdon, B/2/60th
***** You were, a true Friend. Our times together, in school and Cruising Gratiot will, always be remembered. Our times at Fort Knox, were great also. You were, far to young and had such, a bright future. You paid the ultimate price, for your country in a land, far away. You will always, be a HERO, to me. Your Friend Always, Frank.
***** I remember the day at Saint Angela's church when they announced Gene had died in Vietnam. I was in the back of the church and I remember vividly a female friend of Gene's who left the church crying. Some things just get etched in your memory.
Robert Mahoney
CPL - E4 - Army - 9th Infantry Division
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Apr 7, 1967
Casualty was on Dec 10, 1967
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Panel 31E - Line 71
On December 10, 1967 Corp Gene DiRita, at the age of 20 years old became a ground casualty while in Long An, South Vietnam.
He was killed by a gernade explosion. Pfc. Dirita's father said his son was on a mission aboard a helicopter somewhere in Vietnam and stepped on a land mine while he was getting off the aircraft in the landing zone.
His body was recovered.
********************************
Their Holiday Joy Shattered ROSEVILLE –
Mr. And Mrs. Eugene Dirita felt their Christmas would be filled with extra joy this year because it was heralded by the arrival of their first grandchild on Friday. The joy was shattered on the same day when they received a Defense Department telegram notifying them that their only son, Army Pfc. Gene Derita, had been killed in action in Vietnam. Pfc. Dirita, 20, was killed on Dec. 10 while fighting with the 9th Infantry Division. His sister, Vicki, now Mrs. Rodney Beebe, of 33097 Browley, Warren, gave birth to a daughter, Kimberly, Friday at St. Joseph Hospital in Mount Clemens. Pfc. Dirita's father said his son was on a mission aboard a helicopter somewhere in Vietnam and stepped on a land mine while he was getting off the aircraft in the landing zone. Dirita was inducted into the Army in October, 1966 and had been in Vietnam since April 9. He graduated from Roseville High School in June, 1965. He worked at his father's firm, D and S wood processing, in St. Clair Shores, as a cabinetmaker before entering the Army. His last letter to arrive at the Dirita home at 25584 Normandy was dated, Dec. 9-one day before he died. His mother Emma, said he was "in excellent spirits and counting his days in Vietnam." Pfc. Dirita's last words to his family were: "P.S., MOM: Only 111 days left."
The Macomb Daily, December 16, 1967, front page
*************************
.
*** Company C, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam. At one time, served with Battalion Recon, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam. Awarded - Combat Infantry Badge.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
GENE DI RITA - Army - CPL - E4
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Sep 14, 1947
From: ROSEVILLE, MI
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Father: Eugene Fortunato Dirita Born Sept.9, 1920 and Died Dec. 6, 1993 in Roseville, Michigan, at the age of 73 yrs. Mother: Emma F. Dirita, Born Nov. 29, 1923 in Michigan and Died April 2, 2009 at the age of 86 yrs.
***** Gene, I wonder about you often. My dad was with you in Vietnam and your death is something that he can't speak of to this day. It is hard for him to see pictures of you because the memory is still so strong. I pray that your family has found some peace and that they know that you are not forgotten.
- Angelina Mancuso
Added: Jul. 30, 2013
***** Buried in same cemetery as Ted William Burroughs, a fellow C/2/60th soldier KIA along with Vincent P Langdon, B/2/60th
***** You were, a true Friend. Our times together, in school and Cruising Gratiot will, always be remembered. Our times at Fort Knox, were great also. You were, far to young and had such, a bright future. You paid the ultimate price, for your country in a land, far away. You will always, be a HERO, to me. Your Friend Always, Frank.
***** I remember the day at Saint Angela's church when they announced Gene had died in Vietnam. I was in the back of the church and I remember vividly a female friend of Gene's who left the church crying. Some things just get etched in your memory.
Robert Mahoney
CPL - E4 - Army - 9th Infantry Division
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Apr 7, 1967
Casualty was on Dec 10, 1967
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Panel 31E - Line 71
On December 10, 1967 Corp Gene DiRita, at the age of 20 years old became a ground casualty while in Long An, South Vietnam.
He was killed by a gernade explosion. Pfc. Dirita's father said his son was on a mission aboard a helicopter somewhere in Vietnam and stepped on a land mine while he was getting off the aircraft in the landing zone.
His body was recovered.
********************************
Their Holiday Joy Shattered ROSEVILLE –
Mr. And Mrs. Eugene Dirita felt their Christmas would be filled with extra joy this year because it was heralded by the arrival of their first grandchild on Friday. The joy was shattered on the same day when they received a Defense Department telegram notifying them that their only son, Army Pfc. Gene Derita, had been killed in action in Vietnam. Pfc. Dirita, 20, was killed on Dec. 10 while fighting with the 9th Infantry Division. His sister, Vicki, now Mrs. Rodney Beebe, of 33097 Browley, Warren, gave birth to a daughter, Kimberly, Friday at St. Joseph Hospital in Mount Clemens. Pfc. Dirita's father said his son was on a mission aboard a helicopter somewhere in Vietnam and stepped on a land mine while he was getting off the aircraft in the landing zone. Dirita was inducted into the Army in October, 1966 and had been in Vietnam since April 9. He graduated from Roseville High School in June, 1965. He worked at his father's firm, D and S wood processing, in St. Clair Shores, as a cabinetmaker before entering the Army. His last letter to arrive at the Dirita home at 25584 Normandy was dated, Dec. 9-one day before he died. His mother Emma, said he was "in excellent spirits and counting his days in Vietnam." Pfc. Dirita's last words to his family were: "P.S., MOM: Only 111 days left."
The Macomb Daily, December 16, 1967, front page
*************************
.
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