Explore John Basilone net worth, birthday, height, age, bio, salary, 2023! John Basilone. The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. Thank you Barbara Garner for your detailed comments about the wonderful Lena, and how you tried to get her to agree to be buried near her husband. Basilone in his personal humility and unwavering dedication to the men who served with him, became a true hero of the American people during World War II."-John Basilone. We do a ceremony every wednesday for Vets without Families WE look straight out on her grave Rest in Peace Lena Basilone. Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. The top brass who gave the OK should be the ones to blame. Keep up the good work Women Marines Association! In February of 1945, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was back in the Pacific with the 5 th Marine Division, part of the invasion force for the invasion of Iwo Jima, known by the military code name Operation Detachment . He was 78. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. You truley were a good friend to her. HBO did a wonderful job and I wish to see more great documentarylike shows that can bring history to life. They were good examples which I followed. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. The Basilone Family and Raritan Learns of John's Death. She was such a compassionate, no nonsense, spirited lady. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines had been virtually annihilated. John met Lena at Pendleton,it took a while because Lena was her own woman and a noncomissioned officer whe eventually attained the rank of Master Sergeant, She did not rush to John immediately as you saw in the Pacific but once she did they were head over heels for each other.John was a no nonsense Gunnery Sergeant and was very good with a machine gun and thats what got him the Congressional Medal of Honor(equivalent to a Victoria Cross). Hello All: He also was at Peleliu with the the 321st or 81st divisions he never said much about it. I am proud to be a citizen from the same country, USA, as these two remarkable people and salute their service and sacrifices. The civilian man initially had no pulse, and bystanders told the Marine they assumed he was dead. Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. As a combat veteran myself it was extremely realistic and told what it was like. Lena was raised in my hometown of Portland, OR. What was the most moving person I had found was that of Lena. Lena was a very strong woman. Correction here: No such thing as a MOH winner. Please call me and send your number. They both left with honorable discharges and they were both Sargents. The date was February 19, 1945. I salute her, Ms. Garner: I saw the PACIFIC documentary. John Basilone Section 12, Grave 384 Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (1916-1945) was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in combat at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in October 1942. She was a Marine, so she already earns much respect. care.If that helps you. John was a legend as was Lena.Beleive you me Lena is at peace. Uncompromising with her conversations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Being on the home front is just as valuable.When I was deployed, the letters,the care packages,and support for us kept us going.You people of the homefront keep our morale up more than you know. John Basilone's relationship with Lena Mae Basilone ended when John Basilone died on February 19, 1945. Highest Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein, Thank you Barbara for your kind words. She was every bit a Marine which I would follow anywhere. If Gy Basilone, one of the greatest Marines who ever lived, had respect for a Woman Marine enough to marry one, then they need to show respect, too! That she and Gunnery Sgt. My father,Dr Milt Borenstein was a combat medic in the Pacific Attached to the USMC under General Roy Geiger of Guadalcanal fame.When Lena met John she was in charge of a mess hall at Camp Pendleton,California. My Uncle Dick fought and flag razed on Mount Suribaci. Although the Veterans Administration offered to bury Lena in Arlington Cemetery near her husband, she refused the offer saying she didnt want to cause trouble for anyone. However, she decided to go and pray at church instead, since America had made the decision to enter the war the day before due to the devastating, ruthless Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and news of Japan's recent takeover of Shanghai, China . Thanks for taking care of Lena, Stella: My dad was a veteran of the Pacific. As I have grown up and I served many others became my family when I lost my dad to cancer.They filled in as role models and kept on the right path. The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. The story of "Manila John" is part of every Marine's boot camp education. Truly a wonderful woman of strong beliefs. Doesnt make sense to me at all, along with returning his medal of honor and insurance to his family. In October, he and the two machine-gun sections under his command held off an attack by a numerically far superior Japanese force. [3] Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military. As he moved along the edge of the airfield, he was killed by Japanese mortar shrapnel (based on his research for the book and miniseries The Pacific, author Hugh Ambrose suggested that Basilone was killed by a burst of small arms fire which hit him in the right groin and neck and nearly took off his left arm). Janet Bowman Johnson is looking for anyone stationed at Camp Pendleton in 1965-66, and/or who attended Boot Camp February, March of 1965 at CamPen sge originally worked at Battalion Hqtrs, then at the Training Aids Library Read about Elize McKelvey and her unique job. We are seeking those who knew both John and Lena for the documentary. We are a better world because of them Regards, Doc. My uncle, A surgeon eventually took care off me and it worked good. We did our jobs and what were asked to do. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 . Robin: Ask Barbara About what Lena said I dont want to bother anyone because she was like a daughter to Lena. John was killed on Iwo Jima February 19, 1945 just seven months after marrying the love of his life and seven months before the allies would declare victory in the Pacific. I hope that eventually she will be interned with her husband. My uncles are marine and Navy vets as well as my two brothers who are Marines. At 7 p.m. Sept. 17, the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band will present the free 27th John Basilone Commemorative Concert at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg. It was her (32nd) birthday," said Barbara. Thank you for your service as well as everyone who serves. She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle. I had to settle for the Army. John Basilone MoH. . This is an extraordinary piece of History. I think this battlespooked him. To The Altamirano Family: Lena Basilone was a Marine who was in a league of her own.She along with another Medal Of Honor winners husband Terry Murphy the wife of Audie Murphy helped alot of veterans get what they needed from the Veterans Administration.To me the Basilones were both legendary heroes.My father and I were combat medics. The younger people have never learned this and it is a strange concept to them . He is one of the reasons why I joined the Marine Corp! She was satisfied to live on with her memories of John and their relationship, far more consoling than a medal. Anyway it looks like John and Lena Basilone meet and fall in love during episode 8. Its a warm joy to read the postings here. Thats typical. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. A very young, excited female Marine escorted her to the front of the room to cut the ceremonial cake! Lena never remarried. John Basilone killed at Iwo Jima Marc Lancaster Feb 19, 2022 1 Among the approximately 300,000 Americans killed in action in World War II, John Basilone's death on Feb. 19, 1945 holds a unique place in the history of the conflict. Ssg Rick Doc Borenstein (Ret) Combat Medic.As we come to remember our fallen comrades which includes Johe Basilone Jr. Vera.and Msg Lena Basilone, I take pride in theilives and their leadership as USMC NCOs. Lena Basilone, plus every picture I could find of her in her uniform showing her Sgt. We talked about her experiences. I do miss her to this day. Women marines can be rifleman which it is only right and fair. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. He did things bigger than himself and didnt want the limelight. Take care, SSG RickDoc Borenstein,US Army Medical Dept, (ret). For the next seven months, they made the best of their time together before Basilone left for Iwo Jima with his regiment. Semper FI, Both tremendous Marines who loved each other and their country. Her spirit still lives on.. Words fail me when I try to convey my sense of admiration and appreciation for people like the Basilones. Regards Staff Sgt RickDoc Borenstein US Army Medical Corps, Retired . Only 34 Japanese survived it. In later life she served at the VA ;and everyone she came into contact with. You know the the part when theyre having breakfast and where John says its incredible about what can happen over a cup of coffee? Yes, Id say the operative word there is incredible considering that Lenas father and mother had both passed away by the time Lena had enlisted in 1943. Virginia Grey (March 22, 1917 - July 31, 2004) was an American actress who appeared in over 100 films and a number of radio and television shows from the 1930s to the early 1980s. My uncles in WW II served both in Europe and the Pacific. Thank you both for your service to the greatest nation in the world. Thank you for your insights. Womens symposium focuses on family unit, Sgt Lena Basilone Part Three The semi-normal, day-to-day life of a female Marine, John Basilone: Returning to the Fight After Earning Medal of Honor, Read the Signs along the Road :: Stolinsky.com | Conservative political and social commentary, Sunday Salute: Sergeant Lena Riggi Basilone Deb Sinness, Author, Follow Women Marines Association on WordPress.com, Little Marine's Journal: Why I Joined the Marine Corps, Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 1 of 6], Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 2 of 6], Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 3 of 6], Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 4 of 6], Marine 1st sergeant uses combat experience to save man hit by car, 3D animation shows the inner-workings of an AR-15, Everything we know Gen. Milley has told the Jan. 6 panel, As Ukraine highlights value of killer drones, Marine Corps wants more. When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. Vera, always treasure what John and Lena were, real icons and professionals. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 -- her 32nd birthday. SSG.RickDoc: I completed 33 yrs of service to the US Army.My uncles and cousins have been Marines. The memorial parade for Basilone along Somerset Street in his hometown of Raritan, New Jersey, has been held since 1981. The other person that helped vets in the LA area was Audie L Murphys wife, Terry. Think we need more people like Lena, your Dad, and yourself. Thanks for the kind words. We were proud to do this.You make our sacrifices bearable. Hi Vera: I am pleased to read your post. One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient. Many airmens lives were saved as a result because fighter escort was there too to shepard the bombers that went to Japan. Thats a hard thing to take, but she took it and carried on. They served with me steadfastly for almost 34 years ,over 1/2 my lifetime. Your email address will not be published. I have had 7 combat campaigns to boot too Lena was not not much for publicity and kept a low profile. A colossal critical and commercial failure, it essentially marked the end of Hunter's career as a major Hollywood player. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. "If the Japanese force got through Basilone . She remained active with the Women's Marine Association and died in June 1999 at 86 years of age. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. I hope in some small measure I brought honor to Lena. I think my Fathers generation were legends. They finally agreed to wife of Sgt.John Basilone. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant BASILONE boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. He guided the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite heavy weapons fire from the Japanese. Marine Corp veteran Korea Bongiovi Funeral Home, Raritan, NJ Courier News Sep. 7, 2022 Obituary of Donald Basilone Donald Basilone, 92, of Newport Richie, died August 13, 2022. Your email address will not be published. I was treated a few times at the VA facility in Long Beach where Lena helped get a lol of us through the system at the hospital. Basilone's Navy Cross citation reads as follows: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to. She is my hero. He was the only Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II. Wow! In my mind from what I have learned about Peleiu it was a blood affair on both sides. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. Doc On the night of October 24/25, 1942, some 3,000 Japanese troops attacked the U.S. Marines defending the Lunga perimeter and Henderson Field. . Basilone met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. I loved the movie Pacific and i felt horrible when he died so young after they were married. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. Megan, I met Lena long after she served in the USMC. Some familys recognized that the problem existed after the war and helped them. United States Government. She was definitely not impressed with his celebrity status. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism and died in February 1945 during the invasion of Iwo Jima. She was a patriotic American to the core!! I cannot imagine what physical pain he suffered and emotional pain Lena endured. My hero as well as her husband. He along with many Marines fought like tigercats on that island.Eugene Sledge,Robert Leckie,and RV Burgin were heroes of that island .I too took part during the Vietnam era in combat in Korea(limited basis),Desert Storm,Bosnia(peacekeeper)and Iraq.The war of my father and the Marines was a much more intense combat.Those men rose to the occassion espeically John Basilone at Guadalcanal. They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. She had a U.S. Marine Corps sign on the walker, so I asked her if she was a Marine. Famous Hookups; Nav; Celebrities. I especially loved the story about Manila John and Sgt Lena! Which made him keep his accounts inside of him. Lena was a pioneer and an example many Marines can follow, I forgot to comment on you father. My cousins, and two uncles fought there and I learned quickly what Vietnam was about. I wished he didnt go back to war but he was truly a hero and great marine. Let us remember who they were and the ultimate sacrifice made for us all. If possible I would like to speak with you about setting up an introduction so that his niece can speak with you. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. I think women can be and in many cases are better tank and infantry officers, as I have had aunts and grandmothers who were commanders in Israels Palmach.and later the Army.we now will have women NCOs too in positions of leadership they have rightly deserved. , Lena was a hero to me and so was John. She even said when you had the best,who wants the rest especially after John was killed at Iwo Jima. . What I have learned about John Basilone has been influential on how I did my job as an NCO. Lena was the same kind of a Marine too. The Headstone indicated in the photograph, is not The Headstone at Her Grave. The number 456 references one of hundreds of end notes in the back of the book. They were married at St. Mary's Star of the Sea . Amen. Medal of Honor citation. His five older siblings were born in Raritan, New Jersey, before the family moved to Buffalo where John was born; they returned to Raritan in 1918. [20], He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. What an amazing lady. Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. Regards, David, I still dont understand Lenas comment about not wanting to be a bother to anyone and NOT be buried near her husband to be quite strange. After his death, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. I knew Lean briefly due to my dealings with the VA in Long Beach. I was a busy medic and many days circumstances precluded writing.We do overlook the homefront but we have better communication, specifically emails now.and Skype.Lena and John would like these changes.I served as a medic to many of the combat arms so I hope my insights help. Gotta gp get em.,during a hail of gunfire.Later in other conflicts it was knowledge I definitely needed and used, as it save my life. She was very selfless.and helped without expecting anything in return. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell.

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