THE WALL OF FACES

Their Holiday Joy Shattered
ROSEVILLE – Mr. And Mrs. Eugene Dirita felt their Christmas would be filled with extra joy this year because it was heralded by the arrival of their first grandchild on Friday.
The joy was shattered on the same day when they received a Defense Department telegram notifying them that their only son, Army Pfc. Gene Derita, had been killed in action in Vietnam.
Pfc. Dirita, 20, was killed on Dec. 10 while fighting with the 9th Infantry Division. His sister, Vicki, now Mrs. Rodney Beebe, of 33097 Browley, Warren, gave birth to a daughter, Kimberly, Friday at St. Joseph Hospital in Mount Clemens.
Pfc. Dirita’s father said his son was on a mission aboard a helicopter somewhere in Vietnam and stepped on a land mine while he was getting off the aircraft in the landing zone.
Dirita was inducted into the Army in October, 1966 and had been in Vietnam since April 9. He graduated from Roseville High School in June, 1965. He worked at his father’s firm, D and S wood processing, in St. Clair Shores, as a cabinetmaker before entering the Army.

His last letter to arrive at the Dirita home at 25584 Normandy was dated, Dec. 9-one day before he died. His mother Emma, said he was “in excellent spirits and counting his days in Vietnam.”
Pfc. Dirita’s last words to his family were: “P.S., MOM: Only 111 days left.”

The Macomb Daily, December 16, 1967, front page

Gene is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, MI.

ONE OF MICHIGAN'S FALLEN SONS.

Rest in peace GENE DI RITA and know you are not forgotten.

Gene,
It's been 40years today since you've been gone. You are remembered and missed by your friends.
The Wall in Macomb County has your name engraved so that everyone knows what you gave.
Frank

Gene,
You've been gone 40 years today, and you should know that you are still remembered and very much missed. Your name is on the Wall in Macomb County.
I pray for you always.
Your Friend and Brother,
Frank