Harry G. Deger Jr. was born on April 12, 1919 to Harry G. Deger and Helen Scholfield Deger who lived on Jacobs Street, in Montclair, Pennsylvania.  The family later moved to Meadowbrook Place, across the river in Phoenixville.

His father was a well known businessman in the area.   He started his own butcher business at 1009 Bridge Street, and later began a milk route in partnership with his brother Robert.  In 1919 he started the Deger Dairies, in Mont Claire.

Harry was one of 4 children, including Frank, Margaret and Helen. He attended Phoenixville Schools, but left High school to work in his father’s business (pictured at right - click to enlarge).  He was a member of the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on the 100 block of Church Street.  Harry was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #75, Kiwanis Club, and the cities Chamber of Commerce.  Harry loved sports and played baseball in the town’s twilight league.

Harry was tall, 6 foot 1 inch, with brown hair and eyes. He married Mary Jay of Anderson Avenue on January 11, 1941.

Harry was inducted into the Army on June 20, 1944, and trained at Camp Blanding, Florida.  He was sent overseas to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in late November 1944.  He served with the 16^th Infantry Regiment of the “Big Red One” First Division.  The Big Red One landed at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6^th, before Harry joined the division.  The Division then fought its way across France, liberating that country.

 Harry was wounded and recuperated in a hospital in Paris.  He was discharged in November and returned to combat.  In his last letter home received in March, he said his unit was patrolling a captured German town.

Private Harry G. Deger, Jr. was Killed In Action by artillery fire on March 24, 1945, in Germany.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, May 27^th at St. Peters Episcopal Church with the Reverend William N. Lanigan presiding.

Harry was buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium.

Harry’s brother, Frank, also served during the war.