World War II, 325th Fighter Group

Daniel James McCabe was born 10 July 1921 in Brookline, Massachusetts to Daniel and Mary B. McCabe. He is the couple’s first child. He is joined by sister Mary 2 years later and brother Stephen 4 years later. The 1930 Census showed the family living on Stetson AV in Brookline. The family owns a home, values at $20,000, and it has a radio set. His father is a Dentist in his own practice. The 1940 Census showed Danial had finished his 3rd year of High School and is listed as ‘New Worker’ under occupation.

Danial’s draft card, date 15 February 1942 showed he was 5’ 6”, weighed 157 lbs with blue eyes and brown hair. He was drafted 18 August 1942 in Boston. He finished 4 years of High School, was working as an Elevator Operator, and was single with no dependents. His Army Service # 31161264. Soon after this is when the 319th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group was being formed at the Providence Rhode Island Airport. PFC McCabe was part of the Ground Echelon, supporting troops of the 319th Squadron. These jobs include Supply, Clerks, Mess and others. He served in N. Africa and Italy.

PFC Daniel J. McCabe died 11 March 1944. His death was listed as Non-Battle. A medical report said he was shot. Some ground echelon personnel do assist with getting planes ready for combat. The 319th did fly a mission that day, so speculation is he may have been killed when a machine gun discharged a round, striking him. This happened at an airbase known as Foggia #1, a busy base. About 2 weeks late, the 325th moved to Lesina, a new less crowded base closer to the front. He is buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WW2 fallen here on Fold3. Related to this, there will be a smart phone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

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Daniel J McCabe