On his tombstone reads a citation from a letter written by President Harry S. Truman that reads: "Sergeant Dietz by his intrepidity and valiant effort on his self imposed mission, singlehandedly opened the road for the capture of Kirchain (Germany) and left his comrades an inspiring example of gallantry in the face of formidable odds."

Between the town's outlying buildings 300 yards distant and the stalled armored column were a minefield and 2 bridges defended by German rocket-launching teams and riflemen.

He quickly recovered, killed the man who had fired at him and then jumped into waist-deep water under the second bridge to disconnect the demolition charges.

His work was completed; but as he stood up to signal that the route was clear, he was killed by another enemy volley from the left flank.

Dietz by his intrepidity and valiant effort on his self-imposed mission, single-handedly opened the road for the capture of Kirchain and left with his comrades an inspiring example of gallantry in the face of formidable odds.