I am proud to call John and Lena. The . 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. 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! When the heavy .30 . Sergeant John Basilone's legacy is one of the most expansive and visible in Marine Corps history. I got a lot of insights on it from my high school teachers who fought as Marines in the Pacific. I have had my father, uncles, and even grandfathers who fought in WW II and have had find out what it was like because vets find it easier to talk to other vets. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. The Japanese charged the hill relentlessly, with dead Japanese soldiers serving as human bridges so that their remaining comrades could cross over the barbed wire fences near the American perimeter. I write this with tears streaming as I think about the years of fun we shared together. So Ive been doing some research of my own. War was fought with the idea that you do what you must do to win. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Fortunately, I have known a lot of Lenas who I served with. I am so proud to be from a military family. Celebrity Birthdays; Celebrity Deaths; . The lady was happy to know that Lena was also a Portland Marine. 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. This weekend GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the Iwo Jima reunion and symposium as well as working on the official documentary of John Basilone and Lena Riggi. 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. [3] Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military. I thought I would share some of the information I have found on Lena Basilone, it's not much, but here it is. If the name does not sound familiar, you may recognize her married name: Basilone. I ran into her at the Long beach veterans amdinisitration hospital and she helped through the bureaucratic maze and was with me the entire day,I have never forgottten her. Military units comprising the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) participated in Exercise [], FORT HOOD, Texas (Dec.11, 2022) Members of the search fire and rescue team, assigned to the Marine Corps Chemical, Biological Incident Response Force, drill through concrete while conducting a rescue during Exercise Sudden Response 23 at Fort Hood, Texas Dec. 11, 2022. [9][10] As the battle went on, ammunition became critically low. We are a better world because of them Regards, Doc. Famous Hookups; Nav; Celebrities. Their work will not be forgotten by all who were in contact with them. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of John R Basilone to pay them a last tribute. She remained active with the Women's Marine Association and died in June 1999 at 86 years of age. I found that the combatants descended into a savage war the like I hope we never see again. . We need everyone on the line. He clearly foresaw his future three separate times. John taught me to lead my medics well and to take care of them as he did his Marines. At first they did not want to acknowledge Lena had the rank of Sgt. I had it easy in comparison. The Death of "Manila John" Basilone. The USS Basilone, a Gearing -class destroyer sponsored by Basilone's wife Lena, was laid down and launched in 1945 and commissioned in 1949. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. I read the book Im staying with my boys. [4], Basilone enlisted in the United States Army in July 1934[4] and completed his three-year enlistment with service in the Philippines, where he was a champion boxer. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 - her 32nd birthday. For his heroism there, he was awarded the Navy. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. The John Basilone Memorial Parade is the only parade in the country honoring a World War II hero. Required fields are marked *. The bridge at Remagen , as known as the Luddendorf bridge named after the WW I general, Eric Ludenddorf, it was a railroad bridge. I love my Vietnam compadres and family. My uncle Murray a medic did duty with the USMC and Army on Okinawa, My other uncle Dwight did a week on Iwo Jima before he was wounded twice and got oft the Island. The service teachs you to do things bigger than yourself. (reprinted by the John Basilone Stamp Campaign), John Basilone meets the Mayor of New York, Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 22:45, List of historically notable United States Marines, List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II, "Annual John Basilone Parade stirs feelings of patriotism, Jersey pride", "Four Distinguished Marines Saluted on U.S. Postage Stamps", United States Army Center of Military History, "Resort Style Senior Living | California Lutheran Homes | Carlsbad by the Sea", "The Story of Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Part 3", "Burial Detail: Basilone, John (Section 12, Grave 384) Birth Date: 11/04/1916; Death Date: 02/19/1945; Interment Date: 04/20/1948", "Raritan Public Library "Basilone Room"Gy/Sgt John Basilone ribbons", "SCR 25 Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Freeway", "company-c-fights-up-hill-battle-basilones-challenge", "Honoring One Marine To Remember Them All: WWII Hero Gets Plaque at Navy Memorial", "Raritan to honor its fallen son with 33rd Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade", "Raritan's World War II hero John Basilone inducted into NJ Hall of Fame", "JOHN BASILONE Historical Raritan (19161945)", Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, "John Basilone's Medal of Honor Ceremony remembered by Marine Sidney Phillips", United States Marine Corps History Division Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Biography, Medal of Honor Recipients Depicted in Film, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Basilone&oldid=1140815348, An entry point onto Camp Pendleton from US, US Interstate 5 from the San Diego County line to Camp Pendleton to the south is called "Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Highway", In 1944, Army Barracks from Washington state were moved to a site in front of. they have only received veterans status within the last 15-20 years. We, as a nation, have been blessed to have such people serving to defend us. I wonder why she only appeared in public the one time on his behalf Did she ever say more about her husband or her marriage? My mom had me and cousins who served over the years in the US and Israeli military. She deserves it all! . He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. 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. Although she was just. In February 1945, he was killed in action on the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, after he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse and led a Marine tank under fire safely through a minefield. My intrest was to watch what my two Uncles had gone through as they were in all those battles amongst all the Marines. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II. I want to honor her life and her lost story- but I cannot do that properly without personal testament. A piece of their son to cling to , to assuage their pain . A recent visit to the battle sites and the cemeteries in Europe was a moving experience and a grim reminder of sacrifices made for the freedom we enjoy! Thank You David. My father was in the Pacific with the 32nd and 81st. Their bomber was called Cabin In the sky. Marine Sergeant Lena Basilone was the wife of Medal of Honor winner John Basilone. Stella. I am a child of the Vietnam era and I was shaped by those soldiers who fought in Vietnam and adapted to them. Your right Marie. After receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps legend GySgt John Basilone fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Lena never remarried. Thank you for your comments.My father and your fathers dedicated service in the Pacific will not be forgotten by me.The Basilones John and Lena were legends. My mother was a lot like Lena. [21] His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died on June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. John Basilone. I never get tired of watching Pacific.My dad was in the Navy 22 yrs, served in the Pacific,in all the island hopping campaigns. Women recently won an important victory, they now can be combat arms officers. Lena saw to it that I got the care I needed that day and helped me work through the system there. I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. John Basilone (04 November 1916 to 19 February 1945) was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who received the Medal of Honour 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 . Shirt sleeves rolled up and of course the regulation short hair in hairnets!! America was so much better i am sure. They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds. If you call any of them a winner you are disgracing the recipients and those who died earning it. to me it was a tough and frustrating war in many ways. 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. SSG RickDoc Borenstein US Army (Ret). I have 8 combat campaigns from Vietnam era to Iraq.It was my frame of combat reference.. HBO did a wonderful job and I wish to see more great documentarylike shows that can bring history to life. 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. To my knowledge, Lena never had long hair and I dont think in those days it was allowed by the WMS. She had her memories of John Basilone. Megan, I met Lena long after she served in the USMC. He is often discussed in Marine Corps history classes but no one ever mentions that his wife was a Marine too. 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. but those were the times and conditions because I think Americans wanted a quicker end to WWII. . She is one of the marines who made the corps what it is today. She was such a compassionate, no nonsense, spirited lady. 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). Lena earned the right to be buried next to John. Lena was a pioneer Marine and very dedicated both to the Corps and to John. It may seem an unusual choice for many women, but based on what Im learning about Lenas life so farit was a perfectly natural choice for her! 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 ? In our Baptist church whenever we sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic she would stand up and get everyone marching behind her all around the auditorium!!! Lena served an important role though,giving the soldier good chow was a morale booster. Semper Fi Marine, Well done rest in peace. It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. I am at least a 3rd generation medic. But only small details.for instance, at that time all lady marines that worked in the kitchen wore the mens fatigues, but not the ones popular today. God bless Sgt. Thank you for your insights.

Kcpt Program Schedule, Articles J