God bless Lena and John in as they are together in the World without end. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! Johnny was definitely the love of her life! GOD bless you, and thank you for evidently just being you. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. It wasnt until The Pacific miniseries came out that we realized Lena lived in Riverside and had we known we could have contacted her. I claim nothing in this video.
John Basilone's last battle - Los Angeles Times This is what I remember about Lena. They will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters who willingly served this Country when she called. Barbara; Thank you for this insight in to Lena Basilone.
Coffee or Die Magazine | 'I'm Staying With My Boys' A Glimpse into Hi Paul: I was a young kid when Vietnam went down. It was her (32nd) birthday," said Barbara. During brutal fighting with heavy casualties on both sides, he killed at least 38 Japanese soldiers. I finally got to see the Pacificand I was just blown away! During her participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, US Marine Medal of Honor recipient, who was later killed on Iwo Jima. Eternal be his memory . Basilone so deeply loved only makes that respect more profound. Marine Sergeant Lena Basilone was the wife of Medal of Honor winner John Basilone. Amen. I write this with tears streaming as I think about the years of fun we shared together. Lena passed away in 1999 at age 86 and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery at plot 50 grave 5557 with the epitaph "wife of Sgt John Basilone USMC". She helped a lot of soldiers out throughout her long life of service.I thing she wanted to remain in the background. Some familys recognized that the problem existed after the war and helped them. They were legendary icons and did their duties beyond what was required of them. WowI just started reading Im Staying With My Boys, the book about her husband. BASILONE, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. As a veteran, I have profound respect for her service to this country. I am no hero, and my dad felt he was not a hero either. . David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. After completing middle school at age 15, he dropped out prior to attending high school. 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. There are no words to describe this amazing lady. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. So Ive been doing some research of my own. We will be running around all weekend for various events with the Commandant of the Marine Corps and of course multiple Iwo Jima survivors. Thank you for your time & Semper Fi, I am proud to be a citizen from the same country, USA, as these two remarkable people and salute their service and sacrifices. Thank you both for your service to the greatest nation in the world. They were only married 7 months when John fell in battle within 2-4 hours of hitting the beach. Thank You Robin. Megan, I met Lena long after she served in the USMC. 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 . She always did things that were bigger than herself. 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. John Basilone. Its great to learn more about the people behind the name. I have learned about what my dad and other Marines did through other Marines and Soldiers.who served with him. Many, including Virginia herself, expected them to marry . She was every bit a Marine which I would follow anywhere. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942.
did john basilone sleep with virginia grey - Viva Africa LLP He was shot down over the Isle de Olerun in southern france,on thwway to plaster German airfields 3 months before Normandy, he fell on 3-27-44. It was great. He was sent home to sell. We spoke once, I am Lena Riggi BAsilones niece, Lost your number in Computer world of storms. HBO did a wonderful job and I wish to see more great documentarylike shows that can bring history to life.
Sgt. John Basilone: Marine Hero of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima I just have very much respect for both John and Lena for making the personal sacrifice, and for John making the ultimate sacrifice. It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. Oh, my, it must have been terrible for her. He was one of a family of ten children. She was never accepted by Johns family, as if she had taken him away from them. I am amazed that they kept their mental sanity, but did suffer from PTSD as I do. For his selfless dedication to his country, John was awarded the Purple Heart and Nary Cross posthumously. He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Shirt sleeves rolled up and of course the regulation short hair in hairnets!! I suspect she feared if she was buried next to John, that might have dredged up old wounds with the family. I have to just say Thank you to everyone who is in any branch of the military who reads this. My father served in the Pacific and took part in the Central Pacific and Palau campaign(Peleliu). For his heroism there, he was awarded the Navy. But she always contended it would be too much trouble. John Basilone was born to be a United States Marine. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these . I was a medic in Desert Storm, Korea,Bosnia, and Iraq. We, as a nation, have been blessed to have such people serving to defend us. The Army for many years was their home and that was all they knew.Their dedication to our country made us what we are today.To me John and Lena Basilone are larger than life legends to me. P.S. 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. May 10, 2013!! News of John's death, which had occurred on February 19th, 1945, did not reach home until March 8th, 1945, a Thursday. He is one of the reasons why I joined the Marine Corp! Lena lives within a lot of us,sons of Pacific veterans and contemporary Marines and soldiers.Regards,SSG Rick ,Doc Borenstein, Hello Mrs. Barbara Garner, are an Italian lady and my name is Stella. I think my Fathers generation were legends. 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. These Marines were the pioneers who created an Army I passed my torch unto as well as Marine Corps we have today. (source). Came here because I just saw the 8th Episode of The Pacific. [22], Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's military awards include:[23]. She had a U.S. Marine Corps sign on the walker, so I asked her if she was a Marine. 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. WEnow are beginning to treat veterans with this problem. Thanks for the kind words. Thanks Robin. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. And she cut it with flair! I am finding this is a need especially this last Friday when a retired E7 took his daughters and himself in a homicide.-suicide. 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. In 21 Dec 1945 Lena christened a Navy destroyer ship named the USS Basilone in her husband's honor. It has the picture of him like the statue they made of him in his hometown. I served from 73-2007 Vietnam era to Iraq. It's simply . I just had a question, was she close to his family after he passed? If I myself was able to sacrifice myself to save even 2 people I had never met, believe me, I would do that. During the fighting on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone's actions would result in him being awarded the Medal of Honor. Highest Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein, Thank you Barbara for your kind words. To Ssg Rick doc Borenstein almost every comment by you has included you and your family participation in various wars. What would make someone cut the connection so completely, yet state that she had the best?, Miss she had the man he was worth more than any material thing she had and her memory of him was enough for her. War was fought with the idea that you do what you must do to win. I wish I had an opportunity to know her more closely. She was a Marine, so she already earns much respect.
Pacific Wrecks - The Pacific Episode 8 - Historical Commentary on The I am not the Richard who posted this excellent comment. This is what Memorial Day or Decoration Day is all about. It also is sad that Lena had a short time with John. The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. I do miss her to this day. 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. We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. Semper FI, Both tremendous Marines who loved each other and their country. The Women Marines Association (WMA) Emergency Grants provide financial assistance to active duty or Veterans who are facing unexpected financial crises.
John Basilone Biography - USS Basilone DDE/DD 824 My dad and I were medics, My dad fought alongside the Marines as an Army medic.He saw battle in the Marshall,Marianas islands and Peleliu.We looked like the infantry,because we carried rifles,and other weapons as we needed to protect our selves as well as patients. [14] They were married at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside, California, on July 10, 1944, with a reception at the Carlsbad Hotel. I served from Dec 73 to Jun 2007 in the Army and Air Force. And I hope that in some small way I brought joy to her life, I know she enriched mine ! Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 -- her 32nd birthday. Barbara Garner. Basilone: Directed by David Nutter.
John Basilone - Home of Heroes They were both technically saavy at their jobs and legendary leaders as NCOs.They are heros to me, as the members of my family who answered the call and still do to this day, my family in Israel. Whatever we were doing on a weekday, she insisted we be home in time for her daily dose of Guiding Light ! On the night of October 25, 1942, the Japanese focused their attack on John Basilone's units. Japan lost a key advantage of giving Parents Salvatore and Theadora Basilone. With James Badge Dale, Joseph Mazzello, Jon Seda, Jon Bernthal. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
John R Basilone Obituary (1956 - 2023) | Pemberton, New Jersey - Echovita Lena was raised in my hometown of Portland, OR. His actions at Guadalcanal earned him the Medal of Honor. Think we need more people like Lena, your Dad, and yourself.
This N.J town has a sister in Italy, thanks to a WWII hero He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. She was laid to rest in the National Cemetery at Riverside, California. Truly a wonderful woman of strong beliefs. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. That was their mistake. Having Served 21 years of Active Duty from 1970 to 1992. the bridge stood for 10 days and collapsed? Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. As he moved along the edge of the airfield, he was killed by Japanese mortar shrapnel (based on his research for the book and miniseries The Pacific, author Hugh Ambrose suggested that Basilone was killed by a burst of small arms fire which hit him in the right groin and neck and nearly took off his left arm). As in most documentary/films some of the scenes and portrails of Lena were not quite right. Hi Barbara! After her funeral I had copies of their wedding picture made and sent to those who attended and left their addresses (I sent other things also, but cant remember exactlynow that I am 80!) RegardsDoc P.S. The civilian man initially had no pulse, and bystanders told the Marine they assumed he was dead.
John Basilone | Historica Wiki | Fandom 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! Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. She loved him very much. 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 enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 3, 1940, after serving three years in the United States Army with duty in the Philippines. Thats a hard thing to take, but she took it and carried on. 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. On the night of Oct. 24, 1942, on the island of Guadalcanal, a Japanese regiment of 3,000 troops attacked a handful of Marines, including Sergeant Basilone. After his death, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The only thing I really knew about Basilone was the road that cuts through Camp Pendleton. God bless Sgt. You got tired both physically and mentally quickly. Basilone's parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. They are Medal of Honor RECIPIENTS. Outmanned and with supplies low, Basilone and other marines on Guadacanal rally to repel superior Japanese forces.
John Basilone Obituary (1956 - 2023) - Legacy Remembers , Brad Garrett Wife Height, Is A Mobile Home Considered Real Property In Florida, Animated Music Videos . My uncle, A surgeon eventually took care off me and it worked good. You truley were a good friend to her. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 1939. She had her memories of John Basilone. I got a lot of insights on it from my high school teachers who fought as Marines in the Pacific. 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. As she moved into her 80s, health issues began to crop up. GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the next few days. One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient. I worked every day of my EMS career to prevent this. Lets just say Ive become officially obsessed with the story. Lena earned the right to be buried next to John. 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. On one occasion I drove Lena to Camp Pendleton for a celebration of the Womens Marine Corp. 60th anniversary, (I think it was 60) It was so great seeing how she was honored and revered by the young lady Marines. I have 8 combat campaigns from Vietnam era to Iraq.It was my frame of combat reference.. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. Lena was a pioneer and an example many Marines can follow, I forgot to comment on you father. John Basilone Quotes. As long as we have a Navy, there should be a fighting ship honoring his name! he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. 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. 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. 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. 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. Doesnt make sense to me at all, along with returning his medal of honor and insurance to his family. They both are heros of mine. 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. My family is most Army AF Navy and yes Marines. But he was very persistent !! . I am a retired US Army medic that served for 33 1/2 years. I lost some high school buddies that went to Nam as well some in later conflicts. The Basilones are a happy loving couple for the eternity. Both Eisenhower and Patton wanted to keep on the heels of the Germans, which supposedely justified using the Remagen Bridge. Lena was a legend as was John.Lena helped a lot of vets at the VA navigate the system and get what they needed. (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. Her love and bond so strong that she stayed single over 50 years. 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. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant BASILONE boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. 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. She was as fun, compassionate and loving as she was tough. The bridge at Remagen , as known as the Luddendorf bridge named after the WW I general, Eric Ludenddorf, it was a railroad bridge. Donald Basilone was the youngest sibling of the Basilone family, and brother of GySgt. What an amazing lady. So now Im just stoked and really want to learn more and perhaps write a book about her. Lena was also very prominent in veterans affairs. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. I think this battlespooked him.
Medal of Honor Recipients - MCA . 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.