Daniel John DiCassio
PFC Daniel J. DiCassio served with Headquarters Company, 4th Marines.
He was killed in action at Corregidor on 6 May 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 301729
Current Status
Remains not recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 17, 1922
at Woburn, MA
Parents
Joseph DiCassio
Lena (Cessi) DiCassio
Education
Grammar school
Occupation & Employer
Laborer
Poultry farm
Service Life
Entered Service
November 8, 1940
at Los Angeles, CA
Home Of Record
2 Massachusetts Avenue
North Woburn, MA
Next Of Kin
Parents, Joe & Lena DiCassio
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
HQ/4th Marines
Campaigns Served
Philippine Islands / Corregidor
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
DiCassio also served with K/3/4th Marines.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Corporal Ovid Campbell was stationed at Navy Yard Cavite when the United States entered World War II. At first assigned to K/3/4th Marines, he transferred to the regiment’s Headquarters Company on 18 February 1942, and participated in the defense of the islands and the siege of Corregidor.
On the night of 5 May 1942, Japanese troops staged an amphibious assault on Corregidor itself. The garrison put up a determined defense, but were simply overwhelmed and finally capitulated at 1200 hours on 6 May.
At some point on that final morning, 1Lt. William F. Hogaboom encountered DiCassio “just after he had been seriously wounded.” Hogaboom tried to talk to the stricken Marine, but “DiCassio’s body became tense and unconsciousness followed.” Stretcher bearers quickly carried DiCassio away to the hospital at Malinta Tunnel, but the young man died of his wounds shortly thereafter.
Burial Information or Disposition
In a sworn statement taken at Cabanatuan POW Camp in 1943, Hogaboom stated that he was told DiCassio’s body was cremated outside Malinta Tunnel – and, having no reason to disbelieve the information, was sure that DiCassio was dead. No additional disposition information is known.
Memorials
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Daniel J. DiCassio Square, Woburn, Massachusetts
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Joe & Lena DiCassio.
Location Of Loss
DiCassio died at the Malinta Tunnel hospital, Corregidor.
