Dale was born in Avoca, Iowa to Gustav Julieus Maassen and Sena Katherine Andersen Maassen. Dale's grandparents were C. John Sr. and Sophia Harder Maassen (on Dale's fathers side). Dale died at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, but he is buried at Manila in the "Manila American Cemetery and Memorial"/Also known as: Fort William McKinley Cemetery (or Fort Bonifacio Manila) National Capital of the Philippines.

His family has never visited his grave and has never seen a photo of what it looks like. When I searched the archives of CWGC, (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) and ABMC, (American Battle Monuments Commission)they had no record of him. So I wonder is he really buried there, and did the US military ask Dale's family where they wanted Dale buried?

~MAASSEN, DALE G. (KIA)~
Headquarters: U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 529 (December 26, 1943)
PFC Dale Maassen, 457309, was presented with the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company Q: "FOURTH Marine Raider Battalion", in the early part of the engagement at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943.

Dale was severely wounded after taking control of his squad's weapon M-60 (machine gun) after a fellow Marine was fatally injured. DALE Maassen, stayed at his position knowing that it was necessary to engage the enemy as to support his squad and company Q's mission. Dale Maassen, died of the wounds he had sustained in order to continue a barrage of continual fire against enemy forces when he was needed most. The outstanding heroism and skill displayed by PFC Dale Maassen, on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the United States Marine core. PFC Dale Maassen, bravely gave his own life for his country and fellow Marine! Dale with thousands of other brave Marines, and Army soldiers died in the middle of no where to protect their country (and fellow Marines and soldiers) in order to complete their mission against enemy forces.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Dale G. Maassen, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Fourth Marine Raider Battalion in action against the enemy at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943. Severely wounded a moment after taking over a machine gun when a member of his squad was fatally injured, Private First Class Maassen stayed at his post knowing that the continued operation of his weapon was essential to the movement of his company. Private Maassen died of the wounds he had ignored in order to deliver well-aimed fire when it was needed most.

Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Order No.
529 (December 26, 1943)

Medals on Dale's Ribbon Bar:
Army DSC
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Rifle Expert

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION
World War II Honor Roll
Dale G. Maassen

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Service # 457309

United States Marine Corps

Entered the Service from: Iowa
Died: 20-Jul-43
Buried at: Plot F Row 14 Grave 21
Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart

*MAASSEN, DALE G. (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Dale G. Maassen (457309), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company Q, FOURTH Marine Raider Battalion, in the early part of the engagement at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943. Severely wounded a moment after taking over a machine gun when a member of his squad was fatally injured, Private First Class Maassen stayed at his post knowing that the continued operation of his weapon was essential to the movement of his company. Private Maassen died of the wounds he had ignored in order to deliver well-aimed fire when it was needed most. The outstanding heroism and skill displayed by Private First Class Maassen on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Headquarters: U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 529 (December 26, 1943)
Home Town: Avoca, Iowa

To all people who want this memorial get a life! No one in my family gave FAG permission to post this memorial on FAG.
Veterans did not serve their country and die, so FAG members could take credit for the most grave yards, graves, and bios of war heroes they add to their FAG page or FAG grave yard as you think your doing something by taking my family member and adding him to this FAG Guadualcanal Solomon Is. grave yard it is just a way to get credit for selfish purpose. You did not die their death or suffer as the family did. This is such a pathetic part of FAG grave squatters who want credit for dead veterans so disrespectful. IAM A 2ND COUSIN of PFC Maassen. There have been many dirt balls who post information about my cousin PFC Maassen on the internet who come to this memorial & copy my pictures & post on Google or ancestry I HAVE GIVEN NO PERMISSION TO ANY ONE TO POST THIS INFORMATION OR PICTURES its copyright.