T/5 Aldino Domenico Stipa was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 7, 1920, to Emidio Stipa and Elvira Verdecha-Stipa. He was know as Dino to his parents and friends. His family resided at 2032 North 72nd Court, Elmwood Park, Illinois. He attended Chicago Public Schools and graduated from Proviso Township High School graduating in 1938. After high school, he was employed at the Continental Coffee Company in Chicago.
The Selective Service Act took effect on October 16, 1941, and Dino registered for the draft. He named his mother as his contact person. He was inducted into the US Army on December 2, 1942, and issued the serial number 36 712 220. It is not known where he did his basic training. At some point he was assigned to Company D, 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, 5th Army. It is known he trained at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, possibly as part of the maneuvers the 88th took part in, in 1943.
The 88th arrived at Casablanca, Morocco, on December 15, 1943, and on the 28th moved to Magenta, Algeria. They were sent to Naples, Italy, and arrived on February 6, 1944, and did combat training. The 88th relieved the battered British 46th Infantry Division along the Garigliano River in the Minturno area on March 5th. It fought its way north it reached Anzio on May 29th. It was on that date that Dino was reported to have died from a head injury he received in an automobile accident. It is not known when his parents were notified he was dead.
On June 3, 1944, Dino was buried at the American Military Cemetery #3, Nettuno, Italy, in Plot 2-G, Row 68, Grave 4555. His grave was marked with a wooden cross with one of his government issued identification tags attached to it. His other ID tag was buried with him with an identification bottle. His father was sent a letter, dated October 23, 1945, telling him where his son was buried and the location of Dino’s grave in the cemetery. During this time his parents moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Emidio Stipa sent a letter to the Officer of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, requesting that Dino body be moved to the family’s tomb in the Lipidona, Italy cemetery. He received a letter from the OQMG, dated, May 16, 1946, that at a future time, he would be given his options on his son’s final burial. The letter providing him with his options for Dino’s final burial. He was asked to complete an enclosed form indicating where he wanted his son buried. On May 14, 1947, the completed form was returned to the OQMG. He indicated that Dino should remain buried in the cemetery since it was a permanent United States Military Cemetery.
His father was informed in a letter dated December 8, 1948, Tec 5 Dino F. Stripa had been buried in the cemetery with full military honors.
T/5 Dino F. Stipa, ASN 36 712 220
Plot F, Row 3, Grave 26
Mr. Emidio Stipa Headstone: Cross
1700 52nd Street (Anzio) U. S. Military Cemetery
Kenohsa, Wisconsin
This is to inform you that the remains of your beloved one have been permanently interred, as the recorded above, side by side with comrades who also gave their lives for their country. Customary military funeral services were conducted over the grave at the time of burial.
After the Department of the Army has completed all final interments, the cemetery will be transferred, as authorized by the Congress, to the care and supervision of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The commission will also have the responsibility for permanent construction and beautification of the cemetery, including erection of the permanent headstone. The headstone will be inscribe with the name exactly recorded above, the rank or rating where appropriate, organization, State, and date of death. Any inquiries relative to the type of headstone or the spelling of the name to be inscribed thereon, should be addressed to the American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington 25, D. C. Your letter should include the full name, rank, serial number, grave location, and name of the cemetery.
While interments and beautification activities are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. However, upon completion thereof, due notice will be carried by the press.
You may be rest assured that this final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the grave-site will be care-fully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
THOMAS B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
