His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. The John Basilone Memorial Parade is the only parade in the country honoring a World War II hero. Both Eisenhower and Patton wanted to keep on the heels of the Germans, which supposedely justified using the Remagen Bridge. I didnt write for periods up to 1 month. I learned from others like uncles, friends and comrades. Basilone's Medal of Honor citation reads as follows: The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to. I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. BASILONE, JOHN United States Marine Corps VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown DATE OF DEATH: 02/19/1945 DATE OF INTERMENT: 04/20/1948 BURIED AT: SECTION 12 SITE 384 ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. I hope that you dont get what Im saying to you wrong Im not beating you up its just saying what Ive learned from the older Marines was the thing to do. They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. Lena earned the right to be buried next to John. She was satisfied to live on with her memories of John and their relationship, far more consoling than a medal. 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. The U.S. Navy named a destroyer after him in 1945, which Lena Mae christened. Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. She gave to his family to not be selfish and share. Regards,Doc, Robin: I second a lot of Pauls comments. "Lena was notified of Johnny's death on March 7, 1945. My father was on Peleiliu as a medic and thats what I think spooked him and he finished the war in Hawaii. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. I served from 73-2007 Vietnam era to Iraq. Lena was definitely one of a kind. She one of a kind,who we may never see the likes of again. Memorial day is coming upon us fast and its time to remember those we lost, and those who gave back much to veterans as did Lena. 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. 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. [3] Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military. It is the blood of John and those who served that binds the mortar of the foundation of the greatest nation ever! The video explains why the rifle is such an efficient, and ultimately dangerous, weapon. Sgt. Truly a wonderful woman of strong beliefs.
Virginia Grey - Biography - IMDb 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.
Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of John and Lena Basilone I am no hero, and my dad felt he was not a hero either. , Brad Garrett Wife Height, Is A Mobile Home Considered Real Property In Florida, Animated Music Videos . Sad they didnt have children. The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. At that time women were not accepted in a mans world in the military at that time. 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. My uncle, A surgeon eventually took care off me and it worked good. She had a very strong love for Gy.Sgt John Basilone even though their marriage was short,it was a very strong one. My dad served in the Pacific with the US Army who was in the Marshall Island, Marianas,and Peleliu.
Remembering John Basilone, Medal of Honor, USMC Guadalcanal By Jeff McDonald.
John Basilone Annihilates a Japanese Regiment in Guadalcanal He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland. "If the Japanese force got through Basilone . Hi, your very lucky to have known Lena Basilone. Lena would have been one mess sergeant I would never worry about because she ran a very efficient mess hall and really cared about the food and other things mess halls served. I love my Vietnam compadres and family. As in most documentary/films some of the scenes and portrails of Lena were not quite right. The . Date of Death : February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima Airport / Iohjima Airport / Iohtoh Airport, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan : Place of Birth : Buffalo : Country: . It wasnt until The Pacific miniseries came out that we realized Lena lived in Riverside and had we known we could have contacted her. BASILONE, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. I have stayed to true to taking care of the troops as a medic.
John R Basilone Obituary (1956 - 2023) | Pemberton, New Jersey - Echovita Doc John Basilone's relationship with Lena Mae Basilone ended when John Basilone died on February 19, 1945.
John Basilone's last battle - Los Angeles Times 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. I served for 34 years nearly and the others did service from 4-30 years.I definitely appreciate what family did in Vietnam. She is interviewing Iwo Jima Marines and those who knew her Uncle. It has a cost, a soldiers life. This is what Memorial Day or Decoration Day is all about. 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. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who was killed in action during World War II. The story of "Manila John" is part of every Marine's boot camp education. I worked every day of my EMS career to prevent this. I thought I would share some of the information I have found on Lena Basilone, it's not much, but here it is. Legacy.
The Pacific - Death of John Basilone - YouTube Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of John and Lena Basilone On her 32nd birthday she receive word of Johns death on Iwo Jima.He was one of the many who laid their lives down for not only fellow Marines, but also for US Army airmen in crippled B29s who could not return to the Mariana Island base and would have had to face the perils of the Pacific. At least 38 dead Japanese were credited to Sergeant Basilone -- many were killed with his Colt .45 at almost arms length. Let us remember who they were and the ultimate sacrifice made for us all. Military units comprising the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) participated in Exercis []. When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved.
This N.J town has a sister in Italy, thanks to a WWII hero Marine Sergeant John Basilone receives his Medal of Honor in recognition of his heroism on Guadalcanal on October 24-25, 1942. She helped a lot of soldiers out throughout her long life of service.I thing she wanted to remain in the background. I wish she could see, hear and read the admiration so many have for her. What was the most moving person I had found was that of Lena. Lena Basilone teachs me a lot even after she is gone from our presence. She was never accepted by Johns family, as if she had taken him away from them. They were both rare kind of Marines. 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. 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. I am glad that someone stepped in to be family for her. 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. Why was no other keel ever laid down in his honor?
70th Anniversary of the Death of John Basilone - Raritan Online [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. Women make the Marines the effective force they are today.Without Lena, this would not have occurred as easily. Thats a hard thing to take, but she took it and carried on. 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. Stella. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. I knew Lena briefly because I had to have an urgent medical problem taken care of at the VA and she helped me cut much of the red tape. Hi Vera: I am pleased to read your post. 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.
Virginia Grey - nndb.com It was great. 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. I think she was the most selfless person. After his request to return to the fleet was approved, Basilone was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. When the heavy .30 . For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Leader of a Machine-Gun Section, Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Gracias, amiga! If I myself was able to sacrifice myself to save even 2 people I had never met, believe me, I would do that. Many airmens lives were saved as a result because fighter escort was there too to shepard the bombers that went to Japan. The war was shortend by what they did. My cousins, and two uncles fought there and I learned quickly what Vietnam was about. I lost some high school buddies that went to Nam as well some in later conflicts. He guided the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite heavy weapons fire from the Japanese. Oh, my, it must have been terrible for her. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. Lena received a telegram and went back to the beach, mourning him. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. 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. Its not a contest to receive one. She is in town for the Iwo Jima Reunion and Symposium and working on his documentary. 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 . Lena was a person who lived life with a low profile and she was laid to rest in Riverside countys VA cemetery. Naval Service.[11]. Deeply moved and deeply saddened by the story of John and Lena. There are few like them. I see us tangling with Muslim fundamentalists with our full military weight and soldiers like John and Lean were will help us win it. 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 uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. I had members of my family who served in the USMC and some were on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Its a warm joy to read the postings here. I wish i could have known her. We did our jobs and what were asked to do. Others fought at Peleliu and Okinawa.These soldiers endured a war likes of which I hope is not repeated, but I am pessimistic with this assessment in todays world right now..HBO actually brought this very unpublicized area of WW II alive. They both are heros of mine. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 -- her 32nd birthday. Lena served an important role though,giving the soldier good chow was a morale booster. There will not be another one like her and Terri Murphy Audie Murphys wife. The Marines sent him to Guantnamo Bay for his next assignment and then to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands as a member of "D" Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.[8]. Her parents were Italian immigrants. Charles "Check" Tatum. WowI just started reading Im Staying With My Boys, the book about her husband. 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 always had her wallet full of Johnnys pictures. John taught me to lead my medics well and to take care of them as he did his Marines. Women recently won an important victory, they now can be combat arms officers. I am proud to call John and Lena. I still feel that Lena was a marine that was tough as nails. Think we need more people like Lena, your Dad, and yourself. . Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors for his bravery. Lets just say Ive become officially obsessed with the story. But his place was with "my boys", so he ignored the vision and returned to battle . I think I am beginning to understand Lena a bit better. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism and died in February 1945 during the invasion of Iwo Jima. We are a better world because of them Regards, Doc. He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. For his selfless dedication to his country, John was awarded the Purple Heart and Nary Cross posthumously. [22], Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's military awards include:[23]. The gave us a lot and we appreciated their help in return as they helped us vets adjust. Though the battle was fierce and the Marines' defensive positions were being barraged, Sgt. God love the brothers from Nam and I never stop thinking about you guys. Parents Salvatore and Theadora Basilone. Thank you both for your service and sacrifice. Leatherneck November 1988. Lena Basilone and the Women Marines. Hi Robin: I second what you said. I finally got to see the Pacificand I was just blown away! She had much empathy for every veteran. 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. What I have learned about John Basilone has been influential on how I did my job as an NCO. May 10, 2013!! On October 24, 1942, during the Battle for Henderson Field, his unit came under attack by a regiment of about 3,000 soldiers from the Japanese Sendai Division using machine guns, grenades, and mortars against the American heavy machine guns. Then, John marries this stranger and he focuses on her instead of the family.My opinion is they were terribly jealous of her and blamed her for taking away their son and brother. Lena M. Basilone died June 11, 1999, at the age of 86, and was buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California . After John Basilone's death, his wife Lena never remarried. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. Lena was ahead of her time as were many women Marines.
Marine hero honored again with ship name - San Diego Union-Tribune Lena was a pioneer and an example many Marines can follow, I forgot to comment on you father. News of John's death, which had occurred on February 19th, 1945, did not reach home until March 8th, 1945, a Thursday. Basilone commanded two sections of machine guns which fought for the next two days until only Basilone and two other Marines were left standing. Peter J. Basilone, register of wills for Baltimore County and a former state legislator, died Thursday of liver cancer at his Towson residence. Although he appreciated the admiration, he felt out of place and requested to return to the operating forces fighting the war. My father and I did our jobs as we were expected to by our comrades and as we expected to. Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. With his unit pinned down, Basilone made his way around the side of the Japanese positions until he was directly on top of the blockhouse. Barbara Garner. Johnny was definitely the love of her life! John Basilone was not only a good machine gun platoon sergeant, He knew how to use machine guns,maintain them and teach others to do the same, like Steve Evenson who fell on Iwo Jima and his buddy However, this time my sentiments were of the lives and the wonderment of them as people. Regards, He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. John stood up to run. 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. [20], He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. 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 . End note 456 reads: I am proud to speak to a member of John and Lenas family, Hi Vera, are you a relative of SGT Basilone? John was a legend as was Lena.Beleive you me Lena is at peace. 2023.03.03 20:19 bolavitaslots BolavitaSlot Daftar Situs Slots Deposit Bank Lampung No.1 Indonesia It was her (32nd) birthday," said Barbara. I have found that the movie industry gets some aspects of Lenas actual life facts wrong. When the last of the ammunition ran out shortly before dawn on the second day, Basilone, using his pistol and a machete, held off the Japanese soldiers attacking his position.