WW2 Era Memorial for Vincent C. Dapsis

[Heartfeltzero]

Vincent was born in December 6th 1917. He would enlist into the army in 1943. He would serve in 194th Glider Infantry Regiment within the 17th Airborne Division. Vincent was killed in action during Operation Varsity on March 24th 1945.

An excerpt detailing the event on the day Vincent was killed:

“Their main objective was to seize the crossings over the Issel and protect the division's right flank. However, their gliders and tow aircraft took heavy casualties; 12 C-47 transports were lost due to anti-aircraft fire, and a further 140 were damaged by the same fire. The regiment landed in the midst of a number of German artillery batteries that were engaging Allied ground forces crossing the Rhine, and as such many of the gliders were engaged by German artillery pieces that had their barrels lowered for direct-fire.”

I’m still looking into any information on the exact cause of his death, but considering the heavy losses that day as well as the card saying he was killed “over the rhine” my guess is that he was still on one of the gliders and was killed by AA fire before they were able to land in their drop zone.

[Willmore]

Hi JB.

Another very interesting memorial card, thank you for sharing it with us.

I found the following information about Vincent.


Vincent Charles Dapsis in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

Name: Vincent Charles Dapsis
Race: White
Age: 22
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 6 Dec 1917
Birth Place: Minersville, Pennsylvania, USA
Residence Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Height: 5 10
Weight: 170
Complexion: Light
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Next of Kin: Margaret Lenore Dapsis




Charles Dapsis in the 1940 United States Federal Census

Name: Charles Dapsis
Age: 23
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1917
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Marital Status: Single
Home in 1940: Fort William Davis Military Reservation, Cristobal, Panama Canal
Map of Home in 1940: Fort William Davis Military Reservation, Cristobal, Panama Canal
Sheet Number: 16B
Occupation: Private
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 52
Class of Worker Wage or salary worker
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52



Newspaper clipping



Vincent C Dapsis in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012
Name: Vincent C Dapsis
Birth Date: 6 Dec 1917
Age: 27
Death Date: 24 Mar 1945
Military Branch: Army
Veteran of Which War: World War II
Registration County: Philadelphia
Cemetery Name: Holy Cross Cemetery



NAME: Vincent Charles Dapsis
BIRTH: 6 Dec 1917
DEATH: 24 Mar 1945 (aged 27)
BURIALL Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA
PLOT: Section E Range 1

Vincent Charles Dapsis (1917-1945) - Find a Grave Memorial



Vincent Charles Dapsis in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Veteran Compensation Application Files, WWII, 1950-1966





The 194th Glider Infantry Regiment, Trooper Pictures -
The 194th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR) - Trooper Pictures

Roster -
http://www.usairborne.be/Roster/ROSTER-194GIR.pdf

The 194th Glider Infantry Regiment, Unit History -
The 194th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR) - Unit History

Kind regards,

Will.

[Heartfeltzero]

Hey Will,

Thank you for the information!

Good day,

JB

[BlackCat1982]

Another nice find JB, a pity we don't know which Company Vincent was in. Although many of the Waco gliders the 194th GIR were riding in sustained some damage due to ground and AA fire before landing the number killed was small.