William Daniel Marshman collection

William Daniel Marshman was born in Oxford, New York on April 2, 1897. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 27, 1915, and received training at the Naval Recruiting Station in Newport, Rhode Island. After training Marshman was assigned to the USS Melville (AD-2), which operated out of Queenstown, Ireland, providing support for Navy destroyers. In January of 1919, the Melville began operating out of Newport and Guantanamo Bay. Marshman was transferred to the USS Rochester (CA-124) on June 30, 1919. He was honorably discharged on September 5th.

Marshman obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering from Trine University (formerly known as Tri-State University) in Angola, Indiana. He married Helen Pearsall Martin on August 30, 1921. In 1924, he went into business with his father-in-law, becoming a partner in Martin & Marshman Hardware. He later worked as a chemist with the Borden Company in Corry, Pennsylvania, and in Brooklyn. The Marshmans had two daughters: Dorothy Jane and Mary Vietta. Dorothy Jane enlisted as a WAVE in 1943.

Marshman reenlisted in the Navy on February 13, 1942, and was immediately placed on active duty. On the 26th he reported to the USS Kent (AP-28) for duty and was later transferred to the USS Pollux (AKS-4) on April 27. On August 10 he transferred to the USS Barton (DD-599) and was made Chief Quartermaster. The Barton participated in several battles for which engagement stars were authorized for Marshman’s Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon including the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai raid, the Battle of Santa Cruz, the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, and the Third Battle of Savo Island.

On November 13, 1942, the Barton was split in two by two torpedo hits from the Japanese destroyer Amatsukaze during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (also known as the Third and Fourth Battles of Savo Island). Marshman was reported missing in action as of November 13, 1942. Officially, his death was presumed to have occurred on November 14, 1943, in accordance with Section 5 of Public Law 490.

Marshman was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, an American Defense Service Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. He was also awarded an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and an American Campaign Medal. Additionally, a swimming pool at Deposit Central School was dedicated to Marshman.