Homer Franklin Derrick was born on September 26, 1923, in Lexington, Lexington County, South Carolina. He was the son of Otis Daniel Derrick and Lessie Magnolia Rikard Derrick. He enlisted in the service on November 13, 1940. With the outbreak of World War II, he served in campaigns against Germany and Japan, training at Fort Jackson, Fort Benning, Fort Leonard Wood, Camp Gordon, Camp Forrest, and Camp Atterbury before sailing from New York in November 1943; he was first sent to Northern Ireland, then to England in March 1944, and ultimately crossed the Channel on D-Day, June 6, landing near Brest. He served in the 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, as a Staff Sergeant during World War II.

SSgt Derrick was Killed in Action on August 27, 1944, during the Battle of Brest, France. He is now buried in the Pilgrim Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lexington, Lexington County, South Carolina, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com