During World War II, the 21st General Hospital of the U.S. Army activated for service on December 24, 1941. Training began at Fort Benning, Georgia. The unit left in October of 1942 for Camp Kilmer, New Jersey and later arrived in England. They went to North Africa as part of Operation Torch in November of 1942, arriving in Algeria in December of 1942. They served there until November of 1943. They then moved to near Naples, Italy and served there from December of 1943 to September of 1944. They moved to Mirecourt, France in October 1944 and served there until September of 1945, after the war’s end.

Private Paul C. Derendinger served with the 21st General Hospital during World War II as a driver in the Ambulance Service.

Paul Carl Derendinger was born October 7, 1918 in Adams Township in Green County to Charles and Anna (Kleineschay) Derendinger. 

On the 1920 U.S. Census, the Derendinger family lived in Monroe in Green County. The household included father Charles, mother Anna, and children Marie, Walter, Wilma, Laura, and Paul, and Mary Kleineschay, Anna’s mother. Father Charles was born in Switzerland, immigrated in 1890, and naturalized in 1919. He was a farmer working in the dairy industry.

From the 1930 U.S. Census, the Derendinger family lived in Adams Township in Green County. The household included the parents and additional children Robert and Calvin. 

On the 1940 U.S. census, Paul Derendinger lived in York Township in Green County, with Werner Allen. Werner was a cheesemaker in a cheese factory, and Paul was a hired hand in a cheese factory.

On the October 16, 1940 WWII draft record, Paul Carl Derendinger lived in York in Green County, and he worked for Werner Adler.

Paul C. Derendinger enlisted for service with the U.S. Army on December 2, 1941 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. His civilian occupation was “semiskilled occupations in processing dairy products.”

From the August 29, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Paul Derendinger Killed in Action,” the article stated “Pvt. Paul C. Derendinger, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Derendinger, Exeter township, was killed in action in Italy Aug. 19, the war department informed his parents...”

From the November 8, 1948 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “21 Area War Dead to be Returned from Italy,” the article stated “The bodies of 21 servicemen from the Madison area who lost their lives on duty in Italy are being returned to the United States aboard the U.S. army transport Lawrence Victory...” The list included Pvt. Paul C. Derendinger.

From the December 1, 1948 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Monticello to Mark Derendinger Rites,” the article stated “Monticello business places will be closed … and flags will be flown at half-mast when the area’s first World War II victim is brought home for reburial in the village’s Highland cemetery.

The hero is Pvt. Paul C. Derendinger, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Derendinger, who live north of Monticello.

Pvt. Derendinger was killed in a truck accident in Naples, Italy, Aug. 19, 1944. He served in England, North Africa, and Italy as a member of the medical corps.

Survivors include his parents; three brothers, Robert and Calvin, Belleville; and Walter, Wiota; and three sisters, Mrs. L. H. Rosa, Evansville; Mrs. Ambrose Wenger, Postville; and Mrs. Fred Ochsner, Juda...”

Private Derendinger is listed on the National Archives WWII Honor Roll List for Dane County, Wisconsin. He was repatriated and reburied in Highland Cemetery in Monticello in 1948.

Thank you, Private Paul Carl Derendinger, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.