Battesta Mancassola was born September 5, 1890, in San Bartolomeo, Italy. He came to the United States when seventeen years of age, taking up his residence near Bodie, California. He first worked on what is called the Goat Ranch and attended school there for four or five years. Then he moved to Aurora, Mineral County, Nevada, to work in the Wingfield Mill as electrician. On March 29, 1918, “Benny,” as he was familiarly called in Mineral County, left Aurora for Camp Lewis, Washington, to give his services to Uncle Sam. He was in training there a month and at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for some time, after which he was sent overseas and placed in Company C, 5th Field Signal Battalion, 3d Division. His first experience in first line service occurred on September 30th, when the 3d Division relieved the 79th in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

They took up the advance at a point between the villages of Nantillois and Cierges, almost in the center of the line. They had been fighting steadily northward and were northeast of Cunel, when, on the 13th of October, 1918, “Benny” Mancassola fell in the battle. He was buried in Grave No. 105, Section 70, Plot No. 3, Cemetery No. 1232. He left a father, Charles Mancassola of Mono Lake, California, to mourn his loss, and a host of friends to honor his memory. One of the County officials of Mineral County characterized him as a “fine young man, universally liked for his good qualities,” and, another friend who knew him well has said: “Benny was a splendid type of manhood, and deserves all credit that can be given him.” His golden star will shine forever with the others in Nevada’s galaxy.