Memorial

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Charles J. Deritis attended the University of Pennsylvania.

He enlisted in October 1942 and was sent overseas in January, 1944.

He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with one Silver and four bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. The award was made for an attack at low altitude which he led when a heavy overcast was encountered. On the return flight he showed leadership in avoiding danger areas, and thus enabled the group to return to base with a minimum of damage.

Statement from Sgt Marvin B. Christopher, 13103119, 586th Bomb Sq.:
"I first saw the plane after it had rolled on its back. Then the Bomb Bay door fell off, the plane then went into a spin which it kept all the way to the ground. Approximately 1500 feet from the ground I saw one parachute open. I don't know what part of the plane the man jumped from. The plane hit just on the edge of a town. After hitting the ground it burst into flames and later turned into black smoke with the blaze still going. This occurred on the second bomb run. I was flying No 3 with Lt Winkler in the 1st flight of the 2nd box, and did not lose sight of the plane from the time it rolled over on its back until the time it crashed".