Cpl. Mariano Robert Delise was born in Berwyn, Illinois, on October 11, 1920, to Salvatore Delise and Providence Caleagno-Delise. He was the youngest of the couples three children. He appears to have used his middle name as his first name. Sometime in the 1920s, his father died, and his mother would remarry during the 1930s. To earn a living, Robert worked in a retail bakery. He graduated from grade school from the Field Stevenson School in Forest Park and started high school at Proviso Township High School about apparently left during his first year. It also appears that he joined the United States Marine Reserves. In 1940, he was living with his mother and step-father in Forest Park at 912 Elgin Avenue.
He went on active duty in the US Marine Corps, on January 22, 1942, and named his sister, Margaret Vrchota, as his next of kin. Although he was known as Robert, the military, regardless of branch, required that the first name that appeared on birth certificates be used on all his military records. His serial number was 353250. It known he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. The force was composed of Marines who had received specialized combat training. It is known this unit took part in the Battle of Guadalcanal.
He was assigned to Company B, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, when it was formed on February 8, 1944, at Camp Pendleton, California. Many of its members had previously been members of the Marine Raiders, a specialized attack unit, or Para-marines which were airborne troops. During the Battle of Guam, the 5th Marines were held in reserve.
On February 19, 1945, the 5th Marines took part in the landings on the Island of Iwo Jima. The Japanese were heavily fortified and had 11 miles of tunnels on the island. It is not known if Robert was in the first wave or a later wave, but what is known was that he was hit by enemy fire and died from his wounds during the Marine landings on the island.
Records show that Robert was buried in what was designated the 5th Marine Division Cemetery #1, on Iowa Jima, in Plot 1, Row 13, Grave 256. In 1948, his sister, Margaret, received a form from the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, providing her with information on her options for Robert’s final burial. She was asked to fill-out and return an enclosed form indicating where she wanted her brother buried. At this time, the military was consolidating cemeteries from the many islands into larger military cemeteries. His remains appeared to have been exhumed and sent to the US Army Mausoleum in Hawaii. His sister indicated that she wanted Robert buried in the United States in Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois, but she apparently changed her mind and, in an amended form, indicated he should be buried at the American Military Cemetery, Hawaii.
With full military honors, on February 11, 1949, Cpl. Mariano R. Delise was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Plot C, Row 1, Grave 346. His sister received the flag that covered his casket and a letter.
Cpl Marino Robert Darnell, 353250 USMC
Section C, Grave 1346
Headstone: Cross
National Memorial Cemetery of The Pacific
Territory of Hawaii
Mrs. A. Vrchota, Jr
906 Ferdinand Avenue
Forest Park, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Vrchota:
The remains of your loved one have been permanently interred as recorded above among his comrades who also gave their lives for their country. Customary military services were conducted over the grave at the time of burial.
The cemetery is under the control of the Department of the Army and responsibility for permanent construction, beautification and perpetual maintenance, including appropriate marking of the grave, will rest with the Army. During these operations, which will extend over a period of several months, visits to the cemetery are not encouraged.
You have received, or will receive, a communication from the cemetery superintendent indicating the type of permanent grave marker to be installed as well as the name and other pertinent data to be inscribed thereon.
You may rest assured that this final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the gravesite will be carefully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
H. FELDMAN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
