Daniel Thomas Britz

Daniel Thomas Britz, 92, passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2013, at the Bob Stump VA Medical Center in Prescott. Daniel, born November 28, 1920 in Philadelphia, PA, was one of six sons born to Albert and Mary (Woodward) Britz. Fueled by the attack on Pearl Harbor, Daniel and his brothers enlisted in the US armed forces on December 12, 1941. Working as a medic, Dan served in the following WWII battles and campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Napels-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, and Air Offensive Balkans. He was awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star and two bronze stars. On June 10, 1950, Dan married Ida May Berger, a staff sergeant in the U.S.A.F. at Valley Forge. The military couple were stationed at Langley AFB in Virginia; Homestead AFB in Florida; Turner AFB in Georgia; Nouasseur AFB in Morocco; and Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson. Dan retired from his position as Air Force Technical Sargent in 1965. He worked at a variety of jobs until his retirement in 1987 when he and Ida moved to Chino Valley. Daniel spent his retirement doing things he loved: watching football, gardening, and above all, taking care of his dogs. Dan was preceded in death by his two sons, Michael in 1995 and Kevin in 2011, and his beloved wife Ida in 2010. He is survived by his two grandchildren, Emma of Washington, DC and Madalyn Britz of Columbus, OH. A private military service will be held and any memorials should be sent to the Yavapai Humane Society of Prescott or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.