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name
DERENCIN, Marijan Phillip Jr - Date of
birth
25 November 1919 -
Age
25 -
Place of birth
Connellsville Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Somerset, Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33018999 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
I Company,
3rd Battalion,
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
101st Airborne Division
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
3 January 1945 - Place of
death
Bastogne, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| H | 10 | 66 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Marijan P. Derencin (father)
Amelia (Albert) Derencin (mother)
Fredrick A. Derencin (brother)
Clifford V. Derencin (brother)
Elliott C. Derencin (brother)
Dorthy B. Derencin (sister)
Florence L. Derencin (sister)
Virginia Derencin (sister)
Thelma E. (Marker) Derencin (wife)
More information
Pfc Marijan P. Derencin Jr. was a driver before he enlisted in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on 30 April 1942.He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The citation cited: From 6 June 1944 to 3 January 1945, Pfc Derencin performed his duties in a superior manner. During the Normandy campaign, he voluntarily drove his two and half one ton truck under heavy fire to haul supplies, aid the wire section in laying wire and bring badly needed ammunition to the front lines. In the invasion of Holland, Pfc Derencin drove his vehicle 500 miles to join his unit: he skillfully maneuvered his truck and saved the vehicle and vital supplies. At Bastogne, Belgium, he again drove his vehicle under most hazardous conditions until mortally wounded. His actions were in accordance with the highest standards of the military service.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Grand Failly, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, http://www.ww2-airborne.us, www.newspapers.com - The Daily American - 8 January 1946
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Luxembourg American Cemetery