Dominic Marinelli was born on March 10th, 1923. His parents were Joseph and Flavia. His mother, Flavia (the sister of Tony Duca, another one of our heroes), immigrated from Italy with her parents. Joseph was a superintendent at Downingtown Manufacturing Company on Washington Ave and Green St. The family lived at 328 Green St. in Downingtown. Dominic was the youngest brother of three children: Mary Jane, and James, who also is one of our heroes.

Dominic attended Downingtown High School, which was then located on Manor Ave (Rt. 322) across from where St. Joseph’s Church is today. He worked at Downingtown Manufacturing Company, which made paper mill machinery. He was a member of the Alert and Minquas Fire Companies, St. Anthony’s Lodge and St. Joseph’s Church. Dominic was known to be pleasant and fun loving, but also feisty.

Dominic was in the class of 1943 but he left school his Junior year to defend his country. He traveled to Philadelphia with his neighborhood friend Matt Menna.

Dominic and Matt enlisted the Marine Corps in September, and was called to service on December 28th, 1943. Both received basic training at Parris Island South Carolina. Dominic was then sent to Quantico Virginia for infantry training. After completion, he was stationed at Norfolk until he was shipped overseas.

Dominic landed on Okinawa in April 1944 with the 6th Marine Division. On April 14th during a night patrol, his unit was ambushed and PFC Dominic Marinelli was killed. His Commanding Officer in a letter to the family said Dominic was greatly missed. He would make the others laugh and boosted moral. Click to see a larger map

Dominic (front row, second from left) in the South Pacific