I was never one to really say anything religious. Although he appreciated the admiration, he felt out of place and requested to return to the operating forces fighting the war. The Lena I knew would rather be buried where she was because she didnt seek the limelight and wanted to live a quiet life. Your right Marie. I see us tangling with Muslim fundamentalists with our full military weight and soldiers like John and Lean were will help us win it. 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. His actions at Guadalcanal earned him the Medal of Honor. I found Lena in both the 1930 and 1940 censusand was very surprised and excited to learn that not only was she an Oregonian, shes was basically for me a local girl! She was raised and lived and worked in places less than an hours drive from where I live now! i am a proud American. They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. May they both rest in peace and live on in the history they helped write. I had to settle for the Army. Just yesterday I was riding the bus in Portland, Oregon, when a woman boarded with her walker. We, as a nation, have been blessed to have such people serving to defend us. Truly a wonderful woman of strong beliefs. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. Hi Mike or Major Pain. He was an Army NCO in his mind. He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the next few days. Basilone was born in his Italian American parents' home on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. Bullets hit him in the right groin, the neck, and just about blew off his left arm completely. A piece of their son to cling to , to assuage their pain . He was one of a family of ten children. To The Altamirano Family: Lena Basilone was a Marine who was in a league of her own.She along with another Medal Of Honor winners husband Terry Murphy the wife of Audie Murphy helped alot of veterans get what they needed from the Veterans Administration.To me the Basilones were both legendary heroes.My father and I were combat medics. I could not serve in the USMC which was one of my ambitions, family members were in units I wanted to join, I settled for the Army and do not regret any of my service of 33 1/2.yrs.My dad was in the Pacific with the Marines including the Guam and Peleliu campaigns. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. The television show featured her as a significant character in the final episode: The Pacific Part 8: Iwo Jima: 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. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. Lena never remarried and she lived in California until her death in 1999. I needed urgent medical care at a VA medical center.Lena help cut much of the red tape get me in for care that very day.I have never forgotten what she did. Some were there when I wanted to to be a Marines,and the rules said I could not be one. She lived in California, worked for the electric company, and volunteered to serve in several organizations related to Marine. This may include medical bills, eviction notices, or other relevant documents. I am at least a 3rd generation medic. Japan initiated it and made the rules in my mind, The USMC adapted and fought accordingly. They are Medal of Honor RECIPIENTS. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. My dad served in the Pacific with the US Army who was in the Marshall Island, Marianas,and Peleliu. 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. Thank you for your time & Semper Fi, Lena Basilone, plus every picture I could find of her in her uniform showing her Sgt. Regards, SSg Rick Doc Borenstein ret, US Army Medical Dept. I agree, Lena was a loyal wife to a great Marine! In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. "They weren't even men anymore. My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. 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. Thanks Robin. Regardless of whether Basilone's ability was real or imagined, what matters is that he believed it, making his request for orders to the fleet and his actions on Iwo Jima all the more astounding. We do a ceremony every wednesday for Vets without Families WE look straight out on her grave Rest in Peace Lena Basilone. Virginia Grey is now deceased. He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. 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. Ric, thank you for pointing out Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. I didnt realize that! Year Title Role Notes 1999 On the Q.T. Thank You Robin, Hi Robin and Barbara:I was recently out to my old home at Anaheim. I felt both sides descended in to a hell that was what unimaginable to the human mind. The were either Green Berets or medics, a supply clerk and even grunts. 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. These Marines were the pioneers who created an Army I passed my torch unto as well as Marine Corps we have today. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. I have seen what they went through and it mirrors my own combat experiences,5 deployments worth.since 1991 to 2007.Lena Basilone and John were my heros and did their jobs to what they knew was their best. Let us remember who they were and the ultimate sacrifice made for us all. Basilone's wife, Lena Mae, never remarried. I have had 7 combat campaigns to boot too Lena was not not much for publicity and kept a low profile. [12] After the parade, Basilone toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. However, she decided to go and pray at church instead, since America had made the decision to enter the war the day before due to the devastating, ruthless Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and news of Japan's recent takeover of Shanghai, China . My hero as well as her husband. Both Eisenhower and Patton wanted to keep on the heels of the Germans, which supposedely justified using the Remagen Bridge. I will also remember Audie L. Murphys wife Terrry along with Lena who helped us wounded vets navigate through the VA system and get the help we needed. WEnow are beginning to treat veterans with this problem. Thank You very much for being Lenas family. 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. Required fields are marked *. We were proud to do this.You make our sacrifices bearable. Military units comprising the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) participated in Exercis []. I salute everybody and those of us who survived. John Basilone whom she was aware of. December 26, 2022 by Robin. I am very moved and I thank all the American soldiers who fought the cruel war in the Pacific and here in our Europe. Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors for his bravery. On Camp Pendelton, there is an entry point to the base from Interstate 5 called "Basilone Road." Lena earned the right to be buried next to John. I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. I have to just say Thank you to everyone who is in any branch of the military who reads this. John Basilone is a Marine Corps legend. I am amazed that many men did come out psychologically scarred, having no treatment.but still got their live together to function and cope To me Lenas generation was a very strong one. They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds. Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone / USMC (1916-1945): . Only 34 Japanese survived it. Lena never remarried. Lena was definitely one of a kind. The Headstone indicated in the photograph, is not The Headstone at Her Grave. The USS Basilone, was decommissioned in 1977. To me John was a legend whose legacy will not be matched for a long time. I have studied the war in the Pacific. . 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]. 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. Lena was ahead of her time as were many women Marines. 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. The price of freedom is not cheap. [5] In the Army, Basilone was initially assigned to the 16th Infantry at Fort Jay, New York, before being discharged for a day, reenlisting, and being assigned to the 31st Infantry.[6][7]. 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. Some familys recognized that the problem existed after the war and helped them. I also had the chance to tell her about Sgt. 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 NOTHING would have been too much trouble for me, but I honored her wishes to have her buried in the National Cemetary in Riverside, Ca. With James Badge Dale, Joseph Mazzello, Jon Seda, Jon Bernthal. Thank you!!! Please let me know. And your efforts have been repaid many times over I am sure, by those who now know more about her. My dad was in the Pacific on Guam, the Marshalls and Peleliu. I am amazed that they kept their mental sanity, but did suffer from PTSD as I do. I still feel that Lena was a marine that was tough as nails. 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. 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 . I claim nothing in this video. Lena Basilone teachs me a lot even after she is gone from our presence. The Democrat did not seek re-election for . Jesse:Do not ever feel disappointed that you could not serve.We volunteered as did the Basilones. She is one of the marines who made the corps what it is today. I again support Lenas generation and love what she did. Thank you? 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. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism and died in February 1945 during the invasion of Iwo Jima. Lena never forgot us and took care of us. The USS Basilone, a Gearing -class destroyer sponsored by Basilone's wife Lena, was laid down and launched in 1945 and commissioned in 1949. Basilone was posthumously awarded the Marine Corps' second-highest decoration for valor, the Navy Cross, for extraordinary heroism during the battle of Iwo Jima. She is truely my hero as well as her husband. Although she was just. The younger people have never learned this and it is a strange concept to them . He became a doctor and served his community well. I finally got to see the Pacificand I was just blown away! She one of a kind,who we may never see the likes of again. Sad they didnt have children. [8] After driving trucks for a few years, he wanted to go back to Manila and believed he could get there faster by serving in the Marine Corps rather than in the Army. 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. She was very selfless.and helped without expecting anything in return. Lena was the pioneer and was a very strong Non commissioned officer and ran a very good mess hall. It was my joy and privilege to be able to stay with her often in her home, to drive her for outings, groceries, shopping, doctor appointments or out to lunch or supper. [17][18][19], His actions helped Marines penetrate the Japanese defense and get off the landing beach during the critical early stages of the invasion. Here is all of the publicly released testimony by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in one place. Women recently won an important victory, they now can be combat arms officers. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Which made him keep his accounts inside of him. Are their any other books about him? Donald Basilone was the youngest sibling of the Basilone family, and brother of GySgt.
Steve Parkin Clipper Net Worth,
Daughter Of Shango,
Sims 4 Japanese Furniture Cc,
Articles J