John Marra entered the military service in New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Private in Company M, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action on October 6, 1918 and is now buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

P. 439 American Awards and Decorations, 1927 "Late in the afternoon of October 4th 1918, Pvt, MARRA who at that time was in the same squad as me... A sniper... discovered our position and opened fire on us wounding Pvt. MARRA... After being wounded he was evacuated to a hospital. He was a brave soldier and his loss was a great one to the company." Holwick, Edmund G _ Cpl Co. M, 16th Infantry. Died 6 October 1918. Record Group 92 National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Mo.