Born on Jan. 17, 1926 on the near south side of Chicago, and subsequently grew up there. He was a first generation American, as both parents emigrated from Italy. He was drafted into the U.S. Marines on June 13, 1944, went through basic training in San Diego, and was shipped to the Pacific and participated in the battle of Iwo Jima with the 9th Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division. He was shot in the left arm on March 17th during the clean-up stage of the battle, was sent to Guam for his initial recovery, then was evacuated to the states. He spent 14 months in Bethesda Naval Hospital, then 6-7 months at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital located north of Chicago. Tony never recovered the use of his left arm, but did not let that stop him from living a full and productive life.
From the description of An interview with Tony DeVito / Tony DeVito ; Mark R. DePue, interviewer. 2007. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 191731033
