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name
DERDERIAN, John Nishan - Date of
birth
15 May 1912 -
Age
32 -
Place of birth
Tokat, Antolia, Turkey -
Hometown
Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32613531 -
Rank
Technician Fifth Grade -
Function
unknown -
Unit
HQ & HQ Company,
3rd Battalion,
415th Infantry Regiment,
104th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 October 1944 - Place of
death
Sprundel, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 7 | 67 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Sarkis Derderian (father)
Takouhi D. Derderian (mother)
Vahram S. Derderian (brother)
Charles G. Derderian (brother)
More information
T/5 John N. Derderian immigrated to the US from France in 1940 and became a US citizen in 1943.He worked in a textile factory before he
enlisted in New York City, New York on 31 October 1942.
Testimony of a surviving member of Derderian's unit:
"Only three of us could go up to the front. Everyone of us were determined to be one of the three so we drew straws to see whom it would be. Edmonds, Haas and Derdarian won the draw and were sent up. The other five of us stayed back."
T/5 Derderian was killed by shrapnel in the side. He was initially buried in a temporary grave at Henri-Chapelle on 31 October 1944. He was disinterred in 3 November 1947 and his remains were prepared and placed in a casket the same day. He was given his final resting place on 21 August 1948.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, IDPF, Naturalization Records
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Arjan Buijk