Robert E. Dietz
Private Robert E. Dietz, Serial: 33151179, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, U.S. Army. Awards: Purple Heart. He lived at 440 Chambers Avenue, Camden NJ. Buried at Plot A Row 1 Grave 4, North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia.
Private Robert E. Dietz last lived in Camden NJ, prior to being inducted into the United States Army. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. Dietz, of 440 Chambers Avenue. The Dietz family was from Pottsville PA, and moved to Camden late in 1940. He served in the U.S. Army with the 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division.
On 30–31 May 1942, the regiment left Fort Dix and traveled by train to the New York Port of Embarkation and boarded the USAT Oriente. On 2 June, the ship reached Halifax harbor. The regiment left again on 3 June en route to Belfast. Along the way, they were harassed by submarines, but were defended by destroyers dropping depth charges. The regiment arrived at Belfast on 10 June. The subordinate units were scattered around the countryside, and more training was conducted, including several long foot marches.
On 6 August 1942, the regiment began conducting maneuvers with British units. They arrived at Bangor, crossed the bay on pontoon bridges, and established a beachhead at Whitehead. On 7 August, during heavy rains, they attacked a town held by the 61st British Infantry Division, then reassembled at Carrick Fergus. On 8 August, they left Carrick Fergus for Downpatrick. Throughout August, the regiment continued to train.
In September 1942, 1st and 2nd Battalions left Ireland for England, but the 3rd Battalion remained in Ireland. During October, the battalions were realigned and moved around the countryside. By October, under new regimental commander Robert I. Stack, preparations were made for the invasion of North Africa.
On 8 November 1942, the regiment invaded North Africa with Combat Command B. The 1st Battalion was part of a group attacking west of Oran, while the 2nd Battalion attacked east of Oran at Arzew. The 3rd Battalion was on two small boats (HMS Walney and Hartland) to attack Oran Harbor and secure ships and facilities from sabotage. The 1st and 2nd battalions landed with minimal difficulties, but the 3rd Battalion received direct fire from French ships and shore batteries. Casualties included 9 officers and 180 enlisted killed, 5 officers and 152 enlisted wounded. The 3rd battalion was later cited for this action, and was awarded the Distinguished Unit Award. The Regiment earned the Campaign Streamer Algeria — French Morocco, with Arrowhead, and the Presidential Unit Citation for Oran, Algeria. LTC George G. Marshall, commander of the 3rd battalion, was killed during this battle.
Private Robert E. Dietz was killed during the landings at Oran on November 8, 1942. He was 24 at the time of his death, which was reported in the May 11, 1944 edition of the Camden Courier-Post. He was survived by his parents. He is buried in the North Africa American Cemetery at Carthage, Tunisia.
440 Chambers Avenue, Camden NJ
Robert E. Dietz lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. Dietz, in this home at 440 Chambers Avenue, Camden NJ.
Pvt. Robert E. Dietz Missing in Action
Camden Courier-Post —
PVT. ROBERT E. DIETZ MISSING IN ACTION
Parents in Camden Notified of Son’s Loss by War Department
Private Robert E. Dietz, 24, of 440 Chambers avenue, who sailed from England with the huge Allied convoy that stormed French Morocco, has been missing in action since Nov. 8, the War Department announced yesterday. A telegram signed by Secretary of War Stimson was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. Dietz, formerly of Pottsville, Pa.
Dietz, who attended school in Pottsville and was employed as a candy maker there, was inducted last Feb. 17 and sent to Camp Wheeler, Ga. He later was assigned to Fort Dix and sailed for Northern Ireland late last Summer.
Elizabeth Morley, of Pottsville, his fiancée, said he sailed for Casablanca on Oct. 21 with the huge invasion force that smashed French resistance in the largest landing operation in history.
“We were engaged last Christmas—before he was inducted—but we decided to wait until the war was over before we married,” Miss Morley, now visiting Dietz’s parents, said.
The Dietz family moved to Camden a year ago. A brother, William, also is in the Army. Two sisters, Jean and Janet, live at the Chambers avenue address.