He was the only Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. He is one of the reasons why I joined the Marine Corp! 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. The Headstone indicated in the photograph, is not The Headstone at Her Grave. Leatherneck November 1988. That was their mistake. I am finding this is a need especially this last Friday when a retired E7 took his daughters and himself in a homicide.-suicide. The only thing I really knew about Basilone was the road that cuts through Camp Pendleton. She helped a lot of soldiers out throughout her long life of service.I thing she wanted to remain in the background. Fortunately, I have known a lot of Lenas who I served with. She was also constantly on top of mess hall sanitation too, which hers was the best on Pendleton. As a veteran, I have profound respect for her service to this country. Megan. Lena was a legend as was John.Lena helped a lot of vets at the VA navigate the system and get what they needed. It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. Another USS John Basilone is scheduled for commission in 2019. 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 know one person who could answer this question better than me. Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. 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. 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. She was satisfied to live on with her memories of John and their relationship, far more consoling than a medal. He was an Army NCO in his mind. Lena was raised in my hometown of Portland, OR. She deserves it all! I wish I had an opportunity to know her more closely. My family is most Army AF Navy and yes Marines. and we lost fewer soldiers because of better medical. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. He clearly foresaw his future three separate times. They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds. That kept me young at heart, As a medic, who has PTSD I gotta get out or let it all hang out. During brutal fighting with heavy casualties on both sides, he killed at least 38 Japanese soldiers. I sometimes wonder how my family members who fought on Peleliu,Okinawa, and Iwo Jima fought on an island cemetery,the constant artillery and mortar fire, and combat. Their work will not be forgotten by all who were in contact with them. I especially loved the story about Manila John and Sgt Lena! This is an extraordinary piece of History. God bless! 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. It has the picture of him like the statue they made of him in his hometown. It the untold storys you eventually get to hear that you never forget Im so glad that this was shared, Marie: Lena was the pioneer for what the post WWII Marine corps would be today.Women are playing a vital role in what occurs in the modern USMC today. and for the families they left behind.. She had much empathy for every veteran. Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. Basilone commanded two sections of machine guns which fought for the next two days until only Basilone and two other Marines were left standing. 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. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. He was 78. Sad they didnt have children. My I lost an uncle who flew a B24. War was fought with the idea that you do what you must do to win. I caught the tail end of it when we had to get our ADA missiles out of there. 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. She one of a kind,who we may never see the likes of again. She did have beautiful soft natural slightly curly hair, and she kept it short.. 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. 22 daily Regards, Doc Thats why I talk about so others are not misinformed by the media, or teachers, Paul. Outmanned and with supplies low, Basilone and other marines on Guadacanal rally to repel superior Japanese forces. They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. So these male Marines of today who want to diss on women in the Corps need to be quiet. Anyway it looks like John and Lena Basilone meet and fall in love during episode 8. Lena earned the right to be buried next to John. My mother married my father in 43 during the war and she constantly worried about him until he came. I love my Vietnam compadres and family. However, in John's case, something got mixed up. To me John was a legend whose legacy will not be matched for a long time. I think this battlespooked him. I wished he didnt go back to war but he was truly a hero and great marine. 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. You know the the part when theyre having breakfast and where John says its incredible about what can happen over a cup of coffee? Yes, Id say the operative word there is incredible considering that Lenas father and mother had both passed away by the time Lena had enlisted in 1943. And I hope that in some small way I brought joy to her life, I know she enriched mine ! I agree with you, for theres more to the story then meets the eye. 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. I just watched HBO's The Pacific episode 7, it was great, tons of action. Stella. I just have very much respect for both John and Lena for making the personal sacrifice, and for John making the ultimate sacrifice. He guided the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite heavy weapons fire from the Japanese. By Jeff McDonald. Words fail me when I try to convey my sense of admiration and appreciation for people like the Basilones. . The Basilones are a happy loving couple for the eternity. 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. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Only fitting that they be together, (2 marines) who on earth will be angry for such an act. The U.S. Navy named a destroyer after him in 1945, which Lena Mae christened. 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. Peleliu,Iwo Jima,Guadalcanal,New Britian,and Okinawa were among the toughest campaigns in tough conditions to fight.We had tough during VietNam with equal intensity.I marvel at these heroes, who adapted and overcame very tenacious and determined to die foes.This miniseries told it like it was. Thank you, to the Sergeants Basilone for their service, and may God have united you again in heaven. The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. Regards, David, I still dont understand Lenas comment about not wanting to be a bother to anyone and NOT be buried near her husband to be quite strange. The Pacific War was one of the most savage wars ever fought. Vera, always treasure what John and Lena were, real icons and professionals. She was a patriotic American to the core!! Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone / USMC (1916-1945): . Later, untold number of Japanese lives would be spared too. I knew of only one other like her,Terry Murphy Audie Murphys wife.,he died in 1971. He then repaired and manned another machine gun, holding the defensive line until relief arrived. Lena as a dear and precious friend of mine. My dad was a medic on Peleliu. [15] They honeymooned at an onion farm near Portland, Oregon.[16]. Within hours of landing on Iwo Jima, where he forcibly got his men up and off the beach, Basilone was killed by an enemy mortar round at age 27. She is my hero. I have been a combat veteran from the Vietnam era to Iraq. To my knowledge, Lena never had long hair and I dont think in those days it was allowed by the WMS. I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle. Lena and John fall in love and were married on July 10, 1944. John Basilone, a recipient of the . In 21 Dec 1945 Lena christened a Navy destroyer ship named the USS Basilone in her husband's honor. The number 456 references one of hundreds of end notes in the back of the book. She was a Marine, so she already earns much respect. He also was at Peleliu with the the 321st or 81st divisions he never said much about it. Virginia Grey Entertainment - Actress Why Famous: Hullabaloo, film Age: 87 (3/22/1917 - 7/31/2004) Virginia Grey's Relationships (3) John Basilone Other - Other Why Famous: Recipient of Medal of Honor for Battle of Guadalcanal Sgt Lena sounds like a very strong and amazing woman. However, I was impressed by the story of Lena and John Basilone. She worked for the electric company and volunteered countless hours of her time at the Womens Marine Association, the American Veterans Auxiliary, and the Long Beach Veterans Hospital. I would think she should be buried beside John Basilone., I think Arlington has different requirements from other cemeteries. Including the Medal of Honor, he has received many honors, including having base streets, military facilities, and two United States Navy destroyers named for him. John Basilone Section 12, Grave 384 Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (1916-1945) was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in combat at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in October 1942. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. I appreciate Barbara Garners knowledge of Lena because I think she is a daughter to Lena. You truley were a good friend to her. Today, the Women's Reserve is no more. It seems her Upgrade to Sgt . G-d keep us always in palm of your hand and love us always. After receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps legend GySgt John Basilone fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Basilone grew up in the nearby Raritan Town (now Borough of Raritan) where he attended St. Bernard Parochial School. 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. My name is Ali Bardeguez, and I was wondering if maybe you had some insight to her upbringing? I salute her, Ms. Garner: I saw the PACIFIC documentary. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. Lena lost her husband within A few short months after their wedding . WowI just started reading Im Staying With My Boys, the book about her husband. Jesse:Do not ever feel disappointed that you could not serve.We volunteered as did the Basilones. Neither did they want to include she was the wife of Gunnery Sgt. On Camp Pendelton, there is an entry point to the base from Interstate 5 called "Basilone Road." 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.
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