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.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 340376
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.
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.
