Victor J. DeLuca

[Centurion1982]

Name: Victor J. DeLuca

Born: 13 November 1919, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: 18 September 1944, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Buried: Plot A, Row 4, Grave 6, American War Cemetery, Margraten, The Netherlands

Enlistment date: 24 March 1942

Rank: Private

Service number: 36177147

Unit: 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), Company I

 

Victor was a former Ford employee.

 

He went overseas with the paratroops in June 1944 and was transferred from Headquarter 19th Replacement Depot APO 176 US Army to the Service Company of the 506th PIR on 17 June 1944.

 

On 29 June 1944 the 101st was relieved and sent to Cherbourg to relieve the 4th Infantry Division. The 101st remained as a First Army reserve until mid-July, when it returned to England for rest and training.

 

The division had suffered considerable personnel and equipment losses during the Normandy battles. The 101st spent the summer replacing equipment, training new soldiers, and waiting for its next mission. DeLuca was transferred from Service Company to I Company of the 506th PIR on 25 July 1944.

 

On September 14th 1944, DeLuca and the rest of the 101st Airborne Division were alerted that they would participate in the largest airborne operation of the war. Operation Market Garden called for landing three airborne divisions along a 60-mile long swath of the Netherlands. Their objective was to boldly seize a series of bridges (Market) over which a large British mechanized force (Garden) would cross over the Rhine River and into the industrial heartland of Germany.

 

DeLuca and his companions quickly prepared themselves for this herculean effort. They had only three days until the start of Market Garden. Although they had little time to get ready, soldiers of the 101st were excited for the opportunity to participate in an operation that might end the war in 44. On Sunday, September 17, after eating a hearty breakfast of steak and eggs, DeLuca and the rest of the 506th took off from Membury Airfield in England for their rendezvous with destiny.

 

According to the American plane loading manifest of C-47A 43-15137, DeLuca jumped from a C-47 (A.A.F. Serial Number 43-15137) during operation Market Garden on 17th September 1944.

 

The parachute drop for Market Garden was conducted in broad daylight to allow for a quick assembly and movement of airborne forces against their objectives before the enemy could react. DeLucas battalion landed on Drop Zone C near Zon, the Netherlands and proceeded south to seize a bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal. Once these bridges were captured another battalion of the 506th would proceed four miles south to Eindhoven, capture four bridges there, and then await the arrival of British ground forces.

 

As DeLucas battalion approached their drop zone, they encountered little anti-aircraft fire and landed shortly after 1 p.m. As DeLucas battalion approached the bridge, they ran into stout resistance. The Germans blew up the bridge when the Americans came within 50 yards of it. Not to be deterred, the paratroopers of the 506th hastily constructed a footbridge and proceeded to move towards Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The next day (September 18th 1944), the 506th successfully captured the bridges in Eindhoven where they linked up with British ground forces that afternoon. During these actions DeLuca was killed in action in the area of Eindhoven.

 

The day after he died, DeLucas body was wrapped in a parachute and buried in a temporary grave in a temporary U.S. military cemetery in Zon, Netherlands. He was buried alongside Francis Louis Swanson who was also a member of I Company and killed in action on 18th September

 

His mother Mary received a notification of his death in early October. She elected to leave Victor's body in the Netherlands, where he could rest with his fellow paratroopers.

 

On December 13th 1948 Victor was reburied (together with Francis Louis Swanson) to the permanent American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands.

[Allan H.]

Centurian,

 

This is a great tribute to a brave trooper. Item Co. 506th PIR is a unit very close to my heart. They were a very interesting unit and I thank you for sharing this tribute with us. IS there any chance of getting better photos of the soldier and the medal and insignia?

 

Allan

[Dogsbody]

Heel mooi gedaan!

 

His name is also mentioned on a little memorial at the Northern entrance to the city of Eindhoven.

 

 

 

Rene

 

 

 

 

[Centurion1982]

In memory of Victor J. DeLuca at Liberation Day in The Netherlands today!

One of many who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom today!

 

Some close ups

[Centurion1982]

.

[Allan H.]

Thank you again for sharing this wonderful tribute to a fallen hero.

 

Rest in Peace Private De Luca.

 

Allan

[Nic]

Great tribute! Thanks for sharing it!

[Hermanus]

Centurion1982,

 

 

Een heel mooi eerbetoon aan een bevrijder van ons land. (Dank je wel.)

 

A very nice tribute to a soldier who freed our country.

 

 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

 

Herman

[Quest Master]

The aircraft that he jumped from, the cockpit still exists:

http://www.questmasters.us/C-47A_43-15137.html