Dominic Anthony Farino
PFC Dominic A. Farino served with Item Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 498762
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
June 26, 1923
at Chicago, IL
Parents
Emma Farino
(Father’s name unknown)
Education
Fenger High School (1942)
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
November 23, 1942
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
137 East 117th Street
Chicago, IL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Emma Farino
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
I/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Dominic Farino served in Item Company, 2nd Marines during the Tarawa campaign.
On 20 November 1943, Farino’s battalion was assigned the task of spearheading the assault on Betio’s Beach Red One – a curved stretch of sand running several hundred yards from the “bird’s beak” in the west to Red Two in the east. The natural shape of the beach created a crossfire for the defenders, and the area became known as “the Pocket.” Slow-moving landing craft were quickly targeted from multiple angles, and many were knocked out as they approached the shore. Hundreds of men were killed or wounded before stepping foot on dry land. Those who survived faced a network of obstacles manned by determined Japanese defenders, and the fighting was close-in and savage.
Farino was killed in action during the landing operations. No specifics of his death are known.
Burial Information or Disposition
No information recorded; identifiable remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected at Cemetery 33, Grave 6, Row 2, Plot 16.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Emma Farino.
Location Of Loss
PFC Farino’s battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.
