DOB/DOD: November 21, 1925 (Bridgeport, CT) – March 10, 1945; 19 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 182 Dover Street, Bridgeport
ENLISTMENT: February 14, 1944, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 943843
UNIT: Company E, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0521, Basic Marine
FAMILY: Born to John (1903-1998) and Giovanna “Jennie” Zingo Porco (1905-1972), both born in Italy. Jennie was born in Cascenza Province, Italy. One brother, Joseph (1928-1989). 1 Worked at General Electric Company in Bridgeport prior to the service. 2
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the Spring of 1944. Transferred to the 5th Replacement Draft, San Diego, California, in the Summer of 19044. His final assignment was to the 4th Marine Division, 25th Marines, 2nd Battalion in late 1944. 4 Died from wounds to the chest. 3 Private Porco was in the same company as PFC Paul Cushman of Bridgeport, Corporal John McGlew of Meriden, and PFC Vincenzo Murrone of Bridgeport. They died on different days between February 19 and March 15, 1945.
Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima in Plot 1, Row 32, Grave 1565. At his mother’s request, his remains were repatriated in 1948 and buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Avenue, Stratford, Connecticut; Section 11, Lot 308D, Grave 1. 3Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
PFC Frank Souza Jr., also killed in action on February 24, 1945, in the Battle of Iwo Jima, is buried just one plot away from Private Porco. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238
3 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
4 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/