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Salvatore Charles Speciale

PFC Salvatore C. “Sammy” Speciale served with Item Company, Third Battalion, 5th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 8 October 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 340376

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains Not Recovered

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

April 25, 1922
at Utica, NY

Parents

Julia (Lagrua) Speciale
Father’s name unknown*

Education

Cortland High School (1940)
Clarkson University (ex-1944)

Occupation & Employer

College student

* Julia Lagrua was married to Francesco Celeste Speciale; "Frank" died in 1917, and it is not evident that Julia ever remarried.

Service Life

Entered Service

January 5, 1942
at Syracuse, NY

Home Of Record

67 Central Avenue
Cortland, NY

Next Of Kin

Mother, Mrs. Julia Speciale

Military Specialty

Messenger

Primary Unit

I/3/5th Marines

Campaigns Served

Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Salvatore Speciale served in Item Company, 3/5 during the Guadalcanal campaign. From August to September 1942, he participated in heavy combat along the island’s north coast; most objectives centered around control of the Matanikau River. Sam’s duties, as he wrote to his mother, involved carrying dispatches and messages for his platoon leader.

On 7 October, 3/5 set out to support another operation aimed at crossing the river. Item Company led the way, intending to establish defensive positions along the eastern bank. Instead, they ran into an entrenched Japanese force about 500 yards from their objective. It took the Marines most of the day to reach the river, but Item Company had a dangerous gap on their right flank that could not be closed by nightfall. The Japanese broke through their lines after dark, inflicting heavy casualties on Item Company in a confusing melee.

In the morning, Item Company was pulled back from the river and placed in reserve – a welcome chance to care for their wounded and account for their dead. Three men were reported missing in action on 8 October 1942. PFC Speciale and Private John H. Brown, Jr. were “last seen in action against the enemy” near the east bank of the Matanikau; both men were reported missing as of 1700 hours. A third Item Company Marine, Private Charles Drew Taylor, disappeared two hours later.

Nothing more was heard from the missing men, and all were declared dead on 9 October 1943.

Excerpt from the muster roll of I/3/5, October 1942.
Burial Information or Disposition

On or around 10 October 1942, the remains of an unidentified man were buried in the First Marine Division Cemetery, Guadalcanal. He was not the only man brought back from the Matanikau without a name; for a time, he was known only as “Unknown X-11.” Eventually, this individual was identified as Private Taylor – one of the three missing from Item Company. Two other unknowns (X-9 and X-13) were later identified as PFC Alfred Murther and Private Emil Student, of Item and King Companies, also killed on 8 October 1942.

Unknowns X-12, X-14, and X-16 were all buried at around the same time and in the same vicinity – however, Speciale’s remains have not been identified.

Memorials

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

Cortland’s American Legion Post 1622 “Sam Speciale”  was dedicated in 1947. Julia Speciale gave the post its first flag.

Next Of Kin Address

Address of mother, Mrs. Julia Speciale.

Location Of Loss

PFC Speciale was last seen near the eastern bank of the Matanikau River.

Related Profiles

Members of 3/5 non-recovered from the Third Matanikau action.
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