Arthur L. Chaitt, 87, of Glenside, a World War II veteran, died Friday, May 30, at Abington Memorial Hospital after a short illness. Mr. Chaitt graduated from Central High School and attended Temple University.

During World War II, Mr. Chaitt served in Germany in the 16th Infantry Regiment of the First Infantry Division, the famed “Big Red One.” Following the war, he worked for a time at Wolf Brothers Paper Company and, in 1953 became the Executive Director of the Society of the First Infantry Division, a position he held until his retirement in 1997. During his tenure as Executive Director, he initiated a program to take First Infantry Division veterans and their families back to the battlefields of North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium and Germany, the areas where the Big Red One fought. His first battlefield tour commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. The tours were operated every several years and allowed hundreds of veterans to return to the places that had such special meaning for them.

He was proudest, however, of his efforts in establishing the First Infantry Division Scholarship Fund in 1966. He visited Vietnam and worked with then Major General William E. DePuy, Commanding General of the Big Red One. This scholarship offered educational assistance to over 1,000 children of First Infantry Division soldiers who lost their lives in combat in Vietnam. The program continues to this day, now providing scholarships to children of Big Red One soldiers who lose their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 1977, Mr. Chaitt was instrumental in having an addition made to the First Infantry Division Memorial in Washington, DC, adjacent to the White House, honoring the 3,079 soldiers of the Big Red One who died in the Vietnam War.

In 1949 Mr. Chaitt married Lynne Orlinger. They remained a devoted couple until her death in 1984. They had no children. Mr. Chaitt is survived by his brother Elliott Chaitt and sister-in-law, Barbara Chaitt of Tucson, Arizona; his cousins, Gilda Alsher and Jean Schachter and his sister-in-law Barbara Einhorn all of Philadelphia. Also he is survived by his dear friend, Dorothy Feldman of Glenside, PA and his friend and former co-worker, Rosemary Wirs of Blue Bell, PA.

There will be a graveside service at Roosevelt Memorial Park in Trevose on Thursday, June 12, at 2:30 pm.  In lieu of flowers a contribution to the 1st Division scholarship fund will be appreciated. Please make checks payable to the First Infantry Division Foundation and mail to 1933 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422.