Freight Class Lookup, Ugo Colombo Yacht, Joey Jordison Autopsy Report, Articles J

John Basilone, who had already served three years in the Phillippines with the U.S. Army when he joined the Marines in 1940 as a machine gunner with C Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine . Correction here: No such thing as a MOH winner. I do not think man will ever exorcise the demons of war.I dont feel that the future holds a lot encouraging movement for ridding us of war. 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. Hope you were able to get the Pacific series. Another USS John Basilone is scheduled for commission in 2019. Its great to learn more about the people behind the name. Regards,SSg RickDoc Borenstein Ret. The younger people have never learned this and it is a strange concept to them . My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. If possible I would like to speak with you about setting up an introduction so that his niece can speak with you. Although she was just. His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died 11-06-1999, aged 86, in Lakewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. She was the wife of John Basilone, one of the famous Marines every Marine Corps recruit learns about at boot camp. Required fields are marked *. God bless Lena and John in as they are together in the World without end. Lena was definitely one of a kind. I was never one to really say anything religious. I want to reduce veteran suicide statistic rate. It has a cost, a soldiers life. Hi Barbara! Death and burial ground of Basilone, John, "Manila John". The legs were long, so they were rolled up.the waist was generally too big, so the y cinched up a belt around their waist. Sgt. I wish i was around then. John Basilone: An article in Monday's Calendar section about John Basilone, whose death on Iwo Jima was marked on the HBO series "The Pacific," described him as a Congressional Medal of. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Only 34 Japanese survived it. Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone | The semi-normal, day - a female Marine Born on November 4, 1916 in Ruritan, New Jersey, Basilone was the six of ten children in an Italian family and would grow up as a tough young man. Donald F. Basilone (1929-2022) - monumento Find a Grave Just three days after Lenas death a resolution was passed naming a 17 mile stretch of the San Diego (I-5) Freeway near Camp Pendleton Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Highway. I tried your church and they had nothing and various places and people in Ca,You were so important to Aunt Lena. 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. She helped veterans thru the hospital maze at LA VA.Both Audie Murphy and John Basilone were soldiers who we will never see their likes again.Toghetje both these women gave immeasurable service to veterans and made sure we got what we needed.Lena served her Marine corps with distiinction and a pride which established the standard of what Marines needed to aspire to be. Just thought her comment about not wanting to be a bother to anyone was a bit unusual..but am beginning to see that it was instead just very much in her character. His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. The Greatest Generation. 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 ? Marine's heroism gave him legendary status. I am glad that someone stepped in to be family for her. Medal of Honor Recipients - MCA Ca.. This is what I remember about Lena. However, I was impressed by the story of Lena and John Basilone. People can see the war in the Pacific through the eyes of the Marines clearly.This is something cant be avoided or entered into withtout thought as to what can happen Respectfully.SSG RickDocBorenstein(Retired) combat Medic. She had much empathy for every veteran. Outmanned and with supplies low, Basilone and other marines on Guadacanal rally to repel superior Japanese forces. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. Later, untold number of Japanese lives would be spared too. They are soldiers with a purpose, soldiers who are tough, and agree with marine message that they are the best, the toughest, and will take on and complete any mission handed them. There are few like them. Though a miniseries of its own, The Pacific was created as a companion to another popular wartime miniseries by HBO: Band of Brothers, which premiered in 2001 and focused on World War II.The Pacific presents the stories of three U.S. Marine Corps members - Eugene Sledge, Robert Leckie, and John Basilone - and their experiences in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the Pacific War. . In fact if you talk to many who are still alive they will tell you they do not enjoy having that reminder but they respect the award and that is that. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 . I am a retired US Army medic that served for 33 1/2 years. A simple handshake and thank you was all the recognition he wanted.I also feel Lena found out John was killed on her 32nd birthday. The USS Basilone, was decommissioned in 1977. I have learned about what my dad and other Marines did through other Marines and Soldiers.who served with him. She responded that she had served as a Marine in the early 70s. My biggest campaigns was Korea in the 70s, Desert Storm,(2 tours) Bosnia, and Iraq. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. She was definitely an in charge Sergeant,but was well respected because she too could lead. John Basilone and Lena Mae Basilone | Married Divorced Children Ex Although she was just. John Basilone MoH. Larry, Thanks for doing what you are doing this. I love reading everything about ww2 and the greatest generation. Once again, Basilone would be leading Marines in combat with the Japanese as a machine gun section leader. But his place was with "my boys", so he ignored the vision and returned to battle . I served as a medic for most of Army career of 33 1/2 yrs and would not have missed it for the world. It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. My god she was a hero as well as her husband. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. A piece of their son to cling to , to assuage their pain . She one of a kind,who we may never see the likes of again. SSG RickDoc Borenstein US Army (Ret). Hi Robin: I second what you said. After completing middle school at age 15, he dropped out prior to attending high school. Some familys recognized that the problem existed after the war and helped them. He is often discussed in Marine Corps history classes but no one ever mentions that his wife was a Marine too. Hair nets are an essential thing for mess hall personnel as I have been a Mess hall inspector as part of medic duties. He then fought his way toward Airfield Number 1 and aided a Marine tank that was trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages. Having Served 21 years of Active Duty from 1970 to 1992. God bless Sgt. The saddest days of my life were seeing Lenas normally fighting spirit wane after her surgery. I appreciate Barbara Garners knowledge of Lena because I think she is a daughter to Lena. Brother & Sister. Remembering John Basilone, Medal of Honor, USMC Guadalcanal I deserved it. [22], Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's military awards include:[23]. His relatives basked in his reflected glory due to his MOH and widely reported heroism. Lena was a person who lived life with a low profile and she was laid to rest in Riverside countys VA cemetery. My father served in the Pacific and took part in the Central Pacific and Palau campaign(Peleliu). [11] Afterwards, Private First Class Nash W. Phillips of Fayetteville, North Carolina, recalled from the battle for Guadalcanal: "Basilone had a machine gun on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest, or food. The young people in our church adored her even though she was tough with them. Im such a fan my brother bought me a John Basilone t shirt. BASILONE, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. Im writing a piece on Lena Basilone, I am a Marine and have been looking to speak with people that could share stories about Lena, and her life of love, friendship and her service to veterans after the Marine Corps. It wasnt until The Pacific miniseries came out that we realized Lena lived in Riverside and had we known we could have contacted her. I see us tangling with Muslim fundamentalists with our full military weight and soldiers like John and Lean were will help us win it. Lets just say Ive become officially obsessed with the story. John Basilone - Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Bio, Birthday, Wiki! Thats typical. I myself was never able to enlist or join any branch of the service due to many medical issues, but I had tried many times. Its not a contest to receive one. I had family in 1st Mar Div ahead of and had to join the Army in 73. Lena had an important job, seeing that the mess hall efficiently functioned ,and providing good food to keep up morale.This is what Lena was all about. P.S. Marine God Puller: Sgt. Lena Basilone Pictures - Blogger 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. 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. His actions at Guadalcanal earned him the Medal of Honor. She must have been a great marine. My dad fought in the Peleliu campaign. Madly in love by all accounts from their time at Camp Pendleton, Lena and John would enjoy just seven months as husband and wife before John's fateful landing on Red Beach II of Iwo Jima in February 1945. And finally, while home on leave, Basilone predicts his own death on Iwo Jima. Highest Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein, Thank you Barbara for your kind words. Their bomber was called Cabin In the sky. At least 38 dead Japanese were credited to Sergeant Basilone -- many were killed with his Colt .45 at almost arms length. It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. Att.net mail login | | Where commons rule I thank you for you service and recognize what you did for us soldiers Respectfully,SSG.RichardDocBorenstein(Retired) Combat Medic, Welcome David: My name is SSG RickDoc Borenstein I served in the US Army from 1973-2007 and retired. He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Again, Lena Basilone was in a league of her own and very much ahead of her time. He was one of a family of ten children. In my mind from what I have learned about Peleiu it was a blood affair on both sides. Hello All: . . Death At Iwo Jima I was a medic in Desert Storm, Korea,Bosnia, and Iraq. This saved innumerable lives.John and Lena Basilones were legends.they contributed mightily to our victory inthe Pacific.