During World War II, the 101st Airborne Division activated for service on August 15, 1942. They moved overseas to the Royal Air Force base at North Witham, England. Some of the division participated in the first night landing before the invasion on D-Day in June 1944. They then participated in Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands in September of 1944.

In September of 1944, the 101st Airborne Division became part of the XVIII Airborne Corps. From December of 1944 to January 1945, they participated in the Ardennes Offensive in Belgium. The 401st Glider Infantry Regiment disbanded in March of 1945 and became part of different regiments.

In April of 1945, the 101st Airborne Division moved to Rhineland and southern Germany. The division was inactivated on November 30, 1945.

Green County soldier, Maroy C. Dietzsch, served with the 101st Airborne Division, 401st Infantry Regiment.

Maroy C. Dietzsch was born in Exeter in Green County on February 23, 1923 to Oscar and Alice (Becker) Dietzsch.

From the 1930 US Census, the Dietzsch family lived in Fitchburg Township in Dane County. The household included father Oscar, mother Alice, son Maroy C. and lodger Fritz Mathias. Father Oscar was a farmer, and Fritz was a farm laborer.

From the 1940 US Census, the “Nietzsch” family lived in Brooklyn Township in Green County. The household included father Oscar, mother Alice E. and son Roy C. There was no occupation for anyone in this family.

From the September 17, 1941 The Capital Times article titled “Attend U. W., Colleges,” the article stated “Numerous local young people will soon leave Belleville to continue their studies at Madison and the Platteville State Teachers college.” The article stated’ Maroy Dietzsch and Lila Mae Klassey will go to Platteville.”

From the June 30, 1942 WWII Draft record, Maroy Clifford Dietzsch was 19 and was employed at the E & C Company at Madison Airport, Madison, Wisconsin.

From the October 30, 1944 The Capital Times article “Sgt. Dietzsch Is Killed in Holland,” the article from Belleville stated “T/Sgt. Maroy Dietzsch, 21, was killed in action in Holland Oct. 9, according to a message from the war department Saturday to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Dietzsch.

He was born in Exeter township. He graduated from Belleville high school in 1941 and then attended Platteville Teachers’ college until he left for service in March 1943. He went overseas this year with the glider infantry.

He is survived by his parents; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Dietzsch, Belleville; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Becker, New Glarus.

He is the sixth Belleville resident to lose his life in this war.”

From the May 6, 1945 The Capital Times, “Dietzsch Tree On Platteville Campus,” the article stated “The senior class of Platteville teachers college presented two trees to the college at a recent program.

The first, an evergreen, was dedicated to Maroy Dietzsch, former student from Belleville, who was killed in action in Europe Oct. 9, 1944. It is a tree which he planted on his farm home and which his parents sent to be transplanted on the campus as a memorial to him…”

SSG Maroy C. Dietzsch was listed on the National Archives WWII Honor Roll for Grant County, Wisconsin. He received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously. He was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, the Netherlands. 

Thank you, Staff Sergeant Maroy Clifford Dietzsch, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.