Joseph A DeRidder

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-20351.jpeg UPL 20351 Lt. Joseph A. DeRidder

Source: Jayna DeRidder-Huotari, granddaughter

Object Number - UPL 20351 - Lt. Joseph A. DeRidder

Killed in Action (KIA) 31 July 1944 Shot down by flak and crashed at Schleissheim in B-17 Devil's Luck #4232030



AM w/ 4 Oak Leaf Cluster/ PH



YOUNG FLIER LOSES LIFE OVER GERMANY

1st Lieut. Joseph A. DeRidder, 24, son of Mr. & Mrs. Alfons Charles DeRidder, Norway, & husband of Mrs. Lucille DeRidder, 1112 West B Street, lost his life July 31 during an American bombing raid over Munich, Germany, his wife as informed in a telegram receive last night from the United States War Department.

He had previously been reported missing. The young Lieut. Had completed 23 missions & had 12 more to go. He was a crew member of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber which participated in a combat mission. The planes were subjected to enemy anti-aircraft fire over the target & his plane sustained damage.

On a previous mission in the Beauvoir section of France, the bomber on which he was a co-pilot was hit by a missile from a ground-rocket, starting a fire in the cockpit. DeRidder beat out the flames with his bare hands until the pilot reached a lower altitude & then, with the aid of the gunner, found a fire extinguisher.

DeRidder had been awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievements during bombing missions over enemy territory; 3 Oak Leaf Clusters & a Presidential Citation.

Born in Norway, Mich., the young man attended public schools &was employed at DeRidder’s Market before he joined the Armed Forces.

He entered the service in Feb. 1943. After basic training & aviation school he graduate Dec. 5, `943 & was commissioned a 2nd Lieut & received his co-pilot’s license. He left for overseas Feb. 1944.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-756179
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Devil's Luck
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Norway, MI, USA 31 March 1917

Died

Schleissheim palace complex, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany 31 July 1944 KIA when his aircraft took a direct flak hit and exploded. There was only one survivor.

Buried

Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial • Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France Plot Plot D Row 30 Grave 35
Iron Mountain, MI, USA

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Brought in information from duplicate record. Sources:
Jayna DeRidder-Huotari, granddaughter
MACR 7744 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
ContributorJaynahoots
Changes
Sources

Source: Jayna DeRidder-Huotari, granddaughter of Joseph A. DeRidder

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

ABMC MACR 7744 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Joseph A DeRidder: Gallery (2 items)