Nicola DiMaio lived in Coatesville when, in 1915 at the age of 19, he was drafted. He was given the choice of serving in the U.S. or the Italian armies. He chose to serve with the 13th Infantry Regiment with the Italian Army so that he could see his relatives in Italy. He served until 1919. He married and had a daughter before returning to Coatesville and working for Lukens Steel Company in 1920.