The Basilones are a happy loving couple for the eternity. Hi Vera: I am pleased to read your post. Regardless of Service Branch, we all, will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters that only we can understand. Words fail me when I try to convey my sense of admiration and appreciation for people like the Basilones. My uncles are marine and Navy vets as well as my two brothers who are Marines. 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! God bless Lena and John in as they are together in the World without end. Their sacrifice was NOT in vain. I also remember my fallen comrades from high school, through Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm Iraq and Afghanistan. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. It had a few details that were not accurate and you were correct. Later, untold number of Japanese lives would be spared too. BASILONE, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. 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. [2] He was the sixth of ten children. John Basilone Quotes. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 her 32nd birthday. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. Keep up the good work Women Marines Association! I want to honor her life and her lost story- but I cannot do that properly without personal testament. : http://www.facebook.com/groups/10868541353/. 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. A very young, excited female Marine escorted her to the front of the room to cut the ceremonial cake! This is where the television show concludes and unfortunately for curious viewers, the show apparently did not include any follow-up information about John Basilones widow. [22], Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's military awards include:[23]. I know that she and her husband are together today as they have been since her death. I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. I feel pontoon bridges which were being built during and after the first weakening of the main bridge should have mandated use of the pontoon bridges to save engineers lives. Her love and bond so strong that she stayed single over 50 years. Oh, my, it must have been terrible for her. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. As she moved into her 80s, health issues began to crop up. I know she would enrich my life. I am confident that they have been reunited and are now able to enjoy the chance to be together forever that the war took away from them. I can also say to you that those who do - seem to need some sort of verification for their time in country. I found that the combatants descended into a savage war the like I hope we never see again. 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. 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. Once in a while, I add a friends name to it. 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 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. (Thats my VietNam). . I just watched HBO's The Pacific episode 7, it was great, tons of action. Barbara Garner. My daddy was killed in Germany at the battle at the Remagen Bridge in 1945. It was so sad that they never got to spend their lives together. care.If that helps you. I saw how ugly war gets, but I was a medic who had to be there to minimize the suffering of both sides. Lena was a very strong woman. She was a patriotic American to the core!! However, in my research: Ive discovered several factual errors in the miniseries re: the episodes showing the courtship of John and Lena. I see that your family had a lot of marines and sailors, as are some members of my family. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 . . His relatives basked in his reflected glory due to his MOH and widely reported heroism. As long as we have a Navy, there should be a fighting ship honoring his name! Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. She lived in California, worked for the electric company, and volunteered to serve in several organizations related to Marine. (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. Im such a fan my brother bought me a John Basilone t shirt. My Uncle Dick fought and flag razed on Mount Suribaci. God bless! All that being said THANK YOU for your service and I am truly happy and grateful that you returned home, MAY GOD BLESS YOU and your family. War was fought with the idea that you do what you must do to win. So these male Marines of today who want to diss on women in the Corps need to be quiet. I think my Fathers generation were legends. 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. JOHN BASILONE OBITUARY. Shirt sleeves rolled up and of course the regulation short hair in hairnets!! I salute everybody and those of us who survived. Widowed Unfortunately, Basilone was killed in action on Iwo Jima. He was deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, and in August 1942, he took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. Her life and her love is a chapter sadly left untold. On October 24, 1942, John Basilone was supporting the war effort in the Lunga Area. Wife of John Basilone. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. 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. VERY fascinating story about both Gy Basilone and Sgt Lena. Year Title Role Notes 1999 On the Q.T. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. I agree with you, for theres more to the story then meets the eye. We, as a nation, have been blessed to have such people serving to defend us. Eternal be his memory . She was the official sponsor of the destroyer named after him, the USS Basilone, and she participated in its christening ceremony: Sergeant Lena Mae Basilone, USMC(WR), ships sponsor, prepares to christen the destroyer, at the Consolidated Steel Company Shipyard, Orange, Texas, on 21 December 1945. She had made peace with her loss alone, without receiving any compassion from them. Basilone's mother, Theadora Bencivenga, was born in 1889 and grew up in Manville, New Jersey, but her parents, Carlo and Catrina, also came from Benevento. David Rodgers: I found MSG Riggi was a marine of her own and even so at Long Beach VA. She said being married to John Basilone was the best thing in her life. 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. Its why I have the attitudes I do. I thought I would share some of the information I have found on Lena Basilone, it's not much, but here it is. I finally got to see the Pacificand I was just blown away! United States Government. I had to settle for the Army. I have studied the war in the Pacific. he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Although she was just. It was so my privilege to know Lena as my dear friend! He was one of only three Marines in that group to survive. May God Bless John and Lena Basilone. Her group of women were heavily complimented and recognized by the marines they served for good chow. One of her few, if not only, public appearances after Johns death was about nine months after he died. 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. Marine's heroism gave him legendary status. With James Badge Dale, Joseph Mazzello, Jon Seda, Jon Bernthal. We do a ceremony every wednesday for Vets without Families WE look straight out on her grave Rest in Peace Lena Basilone. Outmanned and with supplies low, Basilone and other marines on Guadacanal rally to repel superior Japanese forces. The only thing I really knew about Basilone was the road that cuts through Camp Pendleton. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. 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. Sergeant John Basilone's legacy is one of the most expansive and visible in Marine Corps history. 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. Ms Barbara Garner: I am a retired Army medic. If any of you served with or knew Lena please let me know. I would love to know if anyone knows of someone or is the person who knew Lena or even John or both while they served. But he was very persistent !! He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. 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. I guess we all have our way to remember those important to us. Japan two hours of early warning of raids. They were both rare kind of Marines. Thank You Robin, Hi Robin and Barbara:I was recently out to my old home at Anaheim. The Headstone indicated in the photograph, is not The Headstone at Her Grave. 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. Hi Sabrina, did you ever write about Sgt Lena Basilone? He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. In my mind from what I have learned about Peleiu it was a blood affair on both sides. January. I knew of her by reputation as did other veterans. And your efforts have been repaid many times over I am sure, by those who now know more about her. Lena never remarried. Lena Basilone was a very independent and rugged individual, who epitomized what the USMC is all about. Fortunately, I have known a lot of Lenas who I served with. Virginia Grey is now deceased. His arrival was highly publicized, and his hometown held a parade in his honor when he returned. We did our jobs and what were asked to do. The date was February 19, 1945. Please let me know. I am a huge fan of him and his wife. My dad fought in the Peleliu campaign. I have a flag and it has the names of family and friends named on it. . When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. Through smoke and screaming and the crush of mortar fire, John Basilone never faltered. 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. Larry, Thanks for doing what you are doing this. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! I appreciate Barbara Garners knowledge of Lena because I think she is a daughter to Lena. Truly a wonderful woman of strong beliefs. 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. She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle. Once again, Basilone would be leading Marines in combat with the Japanese as a machine gun section leader. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. From what I have learned about her from you and others Lena was a very independent woman. Neither did they want to include she was the wife of Gunnery Sgt. Wendy 2003 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Jeannie Ashcroft 2004 Pagans: Elise Ashton 2004 National Treasure: Agent Dawes 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 . 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 . Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. Doesnt make sense to me at all, along with returning his medal of honor and insurance to his family. This has been an exclusively a mans kingdom. One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient. She was laid to rest in the National Cemetery at Riverside, California. Jesse:Do not ever feel disappointed that you could not serve.We volunteered as did the Basilones. I am so proud to be from a military family. There will not be another one like her and Terri Murphy Audie Murphys wife. Thank you both for your service to the greatest nation in the world. 456 John Basilone died a painful death in the dirt near Motoyama Airfield Number One. What an amazing lady. 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. He also was at Peleliu with the the 321st or 81st divisions he never said much about it. Thanks to a character in the recent television series called The Pacific, the name of a female Marine has made an appearance on the pop culture radar: Lena Mae Riggi. My father and I did our jobs as we were expected to by our comrades and as we expected to. I deserved it. She even said when you had the best,who wants the rest especially after John was killed at Iwo Jima. I am finding this is a need especially this last Friday when a retired E7 took his daughters and himself in a homicide.-suicide. My mother married my father in 43 during the war and she constantly worried about him until he came. 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. If so where can I find it. I have had female cousins who were excellent NCOs and officers.in the Israeli army.If it was not for Marines like Lena Basilone and John Basilone the marines would not be the organization they are today. My dad served in the Pacific with the US Army who was in the Marshall Island, Marianas,and Peleliu. At first they did not want to acknowledge Lena had the rank of Sgt. I have had 5 combat deployments and was spooked after Bosnia,my unit had a psychiatrist I saw him off duty for a year and the military was none the wiser. Basilone, a member of the U.S. Marines, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action . Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. Ca.. I was never one to really say anything religious. I have 8 combat campaigns from Vietnam era to Iraq.It was my frame of combat reference.. The Basilone Family and Raritan Learns of John's Death. . It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. 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. Semper FI, Both tremendous Marines who loved each other and their country. I want to reduce veteran suicide statistic rate. 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. She was stationed at Camp Pendleton where she served as a field cook on the base attaining the rank of Sergeant. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. us army combat medic i, FORT HOOD, Texas (Dec.11, 2022) Members of the search fire and rescue team, assigned to the Marine Corps Chemical, Biological Incident Response Force, saws through concrete while conducting a rescue during Exercise Sudden Response 23 at Fort Hood, Texas Dec. 11, 2022. Although she was just.
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