Date of birth:

February 27th, 1914 (Den Helder, the Netherlands)

Date of death:

February 15th, 1976 (Grand Rapids, United States)

Nationality:

Dutch

Gerrit Dieterich flew over 2000 hrs with Dornier Wal and Dornier Do-24K-1 between 1937 and 1942 and over 5000 hrs on the Catalina PBY-5 and 5A between 1942 and 1946.
After the falling of the Dutch East Indies in Japanese hands, he was placed with No 321 Squadron which flew from China Bay on Ceylon.
In the night of 2 and 3 March 1942 he was involved in a crash landing with the Dornier Do-24K, X-36 near Anna Plains, to the south of Broome. The crew and passengers (refugees from the Dutch East Indies) were not harmed. The plane was destroyed by the crew. The other planes of the same flight arrived safely at broome, but were destroyed during a Japanes attack, during which many refugees were killed.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant-Vliegtuigmaker

Unit:

321ste Squadron R.D.N.A.S. Marineluchtvaartdienst

Awarded on:

August 3rd, 1944

"During several years with No 321 Squadron RDNAS of our ROyal Navy in the British Indies and Australia and before that in the Dutch East Indies, during battle flights has proven himself in courage, skill, preservance and duty in the face of enemy".
London, August 3rd 1944
signed Wilhelmina

No 241
Royal Decree 03.08.44-5

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

sergeant-vliegtuigmaker (Sergeant-mechanic)

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1949

Certificate
The Minister of Navy

To the Sergeant-mechanic
G.J. Ph. Dieterich (04129)
The Oorlogsherinneringskruis with clasp

"OOST - AZIE - ZUID PACIFIC"

the Hague, November 9th 1949

• Photo 1: Edward D. Dieterich
• - Certificaat OHK via Edward D. Dieterich
  - Meijer H.G. en Vis R., Het Vliegerkruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1997