Bullets hit him in the right groin, the neck, and just about blew off his left arm completely. 1939. Military units comprising the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) participated in Exercis []. The date was February 19, 1945. Lena Basilone, plus every picture I could find of her in her uniform showing her Sgt. Are their any other books about him? I wanted t join the USMC in 1st MARDIV but my cousin and uncle were already there and I had to settle for the Army. Not long after their wedding he shipped out to Iwo Jima and in February of 1945 he was killed in battle. This is what Memorial Day or Decoration Day is all about. I just watched HBO's The Pacific episode 7, it was great, tons of action. For his selfless dedication to his country, John was awarded the Purple Heart and Nary Cross posthumously. While he is training a company of recruits in the fine art of killing Japanese, Basilone meets Lena Riggi, a female Marine just turned 30 and cynical as hell about the advances of yet another lonely guy in uniform, especially a celebrity who can get the best tables at the nicest restaurants. He was 78. (source). 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. I wish i was around then. So these male Marines of today who want to diss on women in the Corps need to be quiet. Another USS John Basilone is scheduled for commission in 2019. I am so proud to be from a military family. She is interviewing Iwo Jima Marines and those who knew her Uncle. "That was our first real look, up close, at the war."-John Basilone. I am proud to be a citizen from the same country, USA, as these two remarkable people and salute their service and sacrifices. Lena never remarried. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. I think I am beginning to understand Lena a bit better. The U.S. Navy named a destroyer after him in 1945, which Lena Mae christened. if anyone knows about a documentary about them please let me know? I am glad that someone was able to be with Lena. I think their story is wonderful, and I am honoring our heritage as women in the Marines and her service to our nation by writing about the lost story of her life. I am a huge fan of hers and her husband. 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. We also appreciated the material contributions you made to the war effort.As medics, my father and I kept many people alive when injured but we also kept them up mentally and maintained their health. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. 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 . Fortunately, I had an uncle who was a surgeon on the civilian side who took care of the problem> I served as a medic in the US Army by default. Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. There are few like them. Regards Staff Sgt RickDoc Borenstein US Army Medical Corps, Retired . Semper Fi Doc(Yes,like my dad Im a medic too), Does anyone know what was behind her comment related to possible burial for herself at Arlington National Cemetery I do not want to be a bother to anyone ? Instead, Iwo Jima turned out to be a life raft. Basilone's parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. The Headstone indicated in the photograph, is not The Headstone at Her Grave. A very young, excited female Marine escorted her to the front of the room to cut the ceremonial cake! He was shot down over the Isle de Olerun in southern france,on thwway to plaster German airfields 3 months before Normandy, he fell on 3-27-44. If the name does not sound familiar, you may recognize her married name: Basilone. Lena passed away in 1999 at age 86 and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery at plot 50 grave 5557 with the epitaph "wife of Sgt John Basilone USMC". John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. My name is Ali Bardeguez, and I was wondering if maybe you had some insight to her upbringing? My husband was stationed in California in the 80s; I even stayed with one of his relatives in Riverside while he checked in at MCRD San Diego. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. My father was a medic,like me. Although she was just. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. Death and burial ground of Basilone, John, "Manila John". Basilone's Navy Cross citation reads as follows: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to. When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. I deserved it. The Marines had a Sullivans which I fell victim too, I wanted to be a Marine. Hi Sabrina, did you ever write about Sgt Lena Basilone? She worked for the electric company and volunteered countless hours of her time at the Womens Marine Association, the American Veterans Auxiliary, and the Long Beach Veterans Hospital. MY dad was attached to Geigers Marines with the US Army because he did water purification,ran a medical lab in addition to his ground duties. I am amazed that they kept their mental sanity, but did suffer from PTSD as I do. During her participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, US Marine Medal of Honor recipient, who was later killed on Iwo Jima. He was one of a family of ten children. Required fields are marked *. She is in town for the Iwo Jima Reunion and Symposium and working on his documentary. Japan initiated it and made the rules in my mind, The USMC adapted and fought accordingly. We do a ceremony every wednesday for Vets without Families WE look straight out on her grave Rest in Peace Lena Basilone. Thanks, Dave. Her life and her love is a chapter sadly left untold. My uncle, A surgeon eventually took care off me and it worked good. Legacy. May 10, 2013!! Whether Geneva convention rules exist or not, you use weapons or do what it take to win.. I know your comment is from many years ago, but I do hope this finds you well! He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II. Shirt sleeves rolled up and of course the regulation short hair in hairnets!! Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's buddies on Guadalcanal called him "Manila John" because he had served with the Army in the Philippines before enlisting in the Marine Corps. They had been married for 7.3 months. That was their mistake. or what its supposed to be. Basilone was posthumously awarded the Marine Corps' second-highest decoration for valor, the Navy Cross, for extraordinary heroism during the battle of Iwo Jima. He was in a good emplacement, and causing the Japanese lots of trouble, not only firing his machine gun, but also using his pistol."[8]. John Basilone is a Marine Corps legend. Charles "Check" Tatum. What a shame she is not buried with her husband. 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. It created gut feelings about enemy presence and it wasnt wrong on many occasions. 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. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing . I would have giving anything to have met MRS Lena Basilone. Basilone received numerous honors, including the following: John Basilone receiving the Medal of Honor in 1943. I knew Lean briefly due to my dealings with the VA in Long Beach. It the untold storys you eventually get to hear that you never forget Im so glad that this was shared, Marie: Lena was the pioneer for what the post WWII Marine corps would be today.Women are playing a vital role in what occurs in the modern USMC today. 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. They got the part absolutely right about Lena totally ignoring Johnny when they first met. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. offspring chris havel wife; airigh 'n eilean; ontario bar exam results 2020. project zomboid ham radio frequencies; gunton hall rooms; kauai hotels kama'aina rate 2021; mary katherine backstrom net worth 2020; blackstone managing director salary. #ww2 The Pacific (2010)The Pacific Box Set - https://amzn.to/2War1EEThe Pacific: Hell Was an Ocean Away (Book) - https://amzn.to/3mbQg3WLink to main channel . Thank God she had someone. I had family in 1st Mar Div ahead of and had to join the Army in 73. Many airmens lives were saved as a result because fighter escort was there too to shepard the bombers that went to Japan. Once in a while, I add a friends name to it. Barbara Garner. She made an effort to reconcile with them after the war when she visited and presented to the family Johns Medal of Honor. We spent many, many hours together and even though her Johnny had been killed many years before she had a way of talking about him that made me feel I knew him personally. My god she was a hero as well as her husband. Lena was a legend as was John.Lena helped a lot of vets at the VA navigate the system and get what they needed. Paul I want to learn about Nam because what my commanders in Basic, AIT, and even in units I later joined trained this old medic in Vietnam methods, tactics and how to stay alive, especially when the cry medic was heard, aka our fatal flaw. Basilone, a member of the U.S. Marines, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action . Lena never remarried and she lived in California until her death in 1999. I know through history lessons and though reading many books that John Basilone had done exactly what I would have done if given the chance. Only 34 Japanese survived it. 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. John Basilone MoH. She even said when you had the best,who wants the rest especially after John was killed at Iwo Jima. Neither did they want to include she was the wife of Gunnery Sgt. At first they did not want to acknowledge Lena had the rank of Sgt. Lena was a person who lived life with a low profile and she was laid to rest in Riverside countys VA cemetery. Although she was just. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. He was deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, and in August 1942, he took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. As far as a documentary for Lena and John Basilone ,the Pacific is the only one I know of. The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. From what I have learned about her from you and others Lena was a very independent woman. care.If that helps you. We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. She belongs at Arlington. Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. He became a doctor and served his community well. But the cynicism did not last, and Lena and John married in the summer of 1944: Thank you both for your service and sacrifice. In October, he and the two machine-gun sections under his command held off an attack by a numerically far superior Japanese force. I tried your church and they had nothing and various places and people in Ca,You were so important to Aunt Lena. She helped a lot of vets navigate the system at LAs VA. I am very moved and I thank all the American soldiers who fought the cruel war in the Pacific and here in our Europe. but those were the times and conditions because I think Americans wanted a quicker end to WWII. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. G-d keep us always in palm of your hand and love us always. My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. My I lost an uncle who flew a B24. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. Please let me know. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland. : My dad was the same way even though. I think it will improve the militarys ability to fight. December 26, 2022 by Robin. Marine's heroism gave him legendary status. Johnny was definitely the love of her life! I reluctantly want to fight wars but as a medic we are needed to ease the suffering and save lives, Hi SGT Rick, i love everything about the greatest generation. Women Marines are such an important part of the Marine Corps. May g-d in wisdom help us fix the VA after the recent round of events. for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. Lena was definitely one of a kind. She was buried at Riverside National Cemetary at her request. I miss Lena even it was a brief time I knew her .Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein Ret, Hi Barbara, After seeing pacific and reading about John Basilone i have so much admiration for the both of them. 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. As a veteran, I have profound respect for her service to this country. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. 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. Sgt Lena sounds like a very strong and amazing woman. They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. I guess being a diabetic with a full ankle replacement i would just be more of a problem for the military rather than a help. They both left with honorable discharges and they were both Sargents. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! The service teachs you to do things bigger than yourself. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of John R Basilone of Pemberton, New Jersey, who passed away on February 5, 2023, at the age of 66, leaving to mourn family and friends. Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. Lena was a very strong woman. A bust of Basilone is sited at Piazza Basilone, in, The Order of the Sons of Italy In America Lodge #2442 in, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 22:45. sabrinammessenger..WELL SAID!! Amen. 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. 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. Their work will not be forgotten by all who were in contact with them. Wife of John Basilone. Ive met only recently the story of John Basilone and now, thanks to your words, even a little of the life of Lena. Donald Basilone was the youngest sibling of the Basilone family, and brother of GySgt. John Basilone's passing at the age of 66 on Sunday, February 5, 2023 has been publicly announced by Bradley and Stow Funeral Home in Medford, NJ. After Gable's third wife, Carole Lombard, died in 1942 and he returned from military service in 1944, he and Virginia were often seen at restaurants and nightclubs together.
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