Basilone received numerous honors, including the following: John Basilone receiving the Medal of Honor in 1943. 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!) Thank you, to the Sergeants Basilone for their service, and may God have united you again in heaven. For his heroism there, he was awarded the Navy. 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. My uncles in WW II served both in Europe and the Pacific. They were only married 7 months when John fell in battle within 2-4 hours of hitting the beach. The Marines were vastly outnumbered and under-gunned and had the dubious task of defending the most important airfield in the South Pacific. Regardless of Service Branch, we all, will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters that only we can understand. Ive met only recently the story of John Basilone and now, thanks to your words, even a little of the life of Lena. On December 8, 1941, she went to go shopping. I then years later caught the Gulf war, Korea, Bosnia and Iraq. Your email address will not be published. Whatever we were doing on a weekday, she insisted we be home in time for her daily dose of Guiding Light ! He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland. We are a better world because of them Regards, Doc. We need everyone on the line. Only 34 Japanese survived it. Dear Barbara Garner, 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. After receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps legend GySgt John Basilone fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. However, in John's case, something got mixed up. Their bomber was called Cabin In the sky. However, I was impressed by the story of Lena and John Basilone. It's simply . Thank God she had someone. John Basilone, a recipient of the . It also is sad that Lena had a short time with John. She is my hero. Basilone was born in his Italian American parents' home on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. Her favorite framed picture of Johnny always sat looking at her from atop her TV! Thank You very much for being Lenas family. 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. . He is one of the reasons why I joined the Marine Corp! We spoke once, I am Lena Riggi BAsilones niece, Lost your number in Computer world of storms. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. He became a doctor and served his community well. It was so my privilege to know Lena as my dear friend! I deserved it. Here is all of the publicly released testimony by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in one place. I know your comment is from many years ago, but I do hope this finds you well! My generation followed their example and I think its why I survived 5 conflicts with mild to moderate PTSD. She was also constantly on top of mess hall sanitation too, which hers was the best on Pendleton. . There will not be another one like her and Terri Murphy Audie Murphys wife. Its not a contest to receive one. As far as a documentary for Lena and John Basilone ,the Pacific is the only one I know of. Lena was ahead of her time as were many women Marines. It seems her Upgrade to Sgt . She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Representing The Fewer & ProuderGenerations of Service, SSG Richard"Rick"Doc" Borenstein,Medic Retired, ssg rick "doc " borenstein ret. Think we need more people like Lena, your Dad, and yourself. He was deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, and in August 1942, he took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. Hi Vera: I am pleased to read your post. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. We do a ceremony every wednesday for Vets without Families WE look straight out on her grave Rest in Peace Lena Basilone. 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. 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. 456 John Basilone died a painful death in the dirt near Motoyama Airfield Number One. 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. Thank you for your insights. I also had the chance to tell her about Sgt. Hi Mike or Major Pain. 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. He did things bigger than himself and didnt want the limelight. This is probably why it occurred. One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient. His arrival was highly publicized, and his hometown held a parade in his honor when he returned. 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. He also was at Peleliu with the the 321st or 81st divisions he never said much about it. Thank you? May g-d in wisdom help us fix the VA after the recent round of events. 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. He went to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River. Wendy 2003 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Jeannie Ashcroft 2004 Pagans: Elise Ashton 2004 National Treasure: Agent Dawes 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. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. I too believe that a great degree of focus should have been given to Lena. Thank you for your time & Semper Fi, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's buddies on Guadalcanal called him "Manila John" because he had served with the Army in the Philippines before enlisting in the Marine Corps. John stood up to run. United States Government. 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. Anyway it looks like John and Lena Basilone meet and fall in love during episode 8. Doc..thanks for the reply. Lena M. Basilone died June 11, 1999, at the age of 86, and was buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California . I am proud to be a citizen from the same country, USA, as these two remarkable people and salute their service and sacrifices. We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. 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. I do miss her to this day. Came here because I just saw the 8th Episode of The Pacific. Lena never forgot us and took care of us. He was an Army NCO in his mind. If you call any of them a winner you are disgracing the recipients and those who died earning it. I was a medic in Desert Storm, Korea,Bosnia, and Iraq. I saw how ugly war gets, but I was a medic who had to be there to minimize the suffering of both sides. BASILONE'S sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. At that time women were not accepted in a mans world in the military at that time. I was never one to really say anything religious. John taught me to lead my medics well and to take care of them as he did his Marines. But he was very persistent !! I am finding this is a need especially this last Friday when a retired E7 took his daughters and himself in a homicide.-suicide. She was the wife of John Basilone, one of the famous Marines every Marine Corps recruit learns about at boot camp. I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. I hope in some small measure I brought honor to Lena. This has been an exclusively a mans kingdom. 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. I knew of her by reputation as did other veterans. The other person that helped vets in the LA area was Audie L Murphys wife, Terry. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 . Not long after their wedding he shipped out to Iwo Jima and in February of 1945 he was killed in battle. Although he appreciated the admiration, he felt out of place and requested to return to the operating forces fighting the war. Fortunately, I had an uncle who was a surgeon on the civilian side who took care of the problem> I served as a medic in the US Army by default. I suspect she feared if she was buried next to John, that might have dredged up old wounds with the family. He was in a good emplacement, and causing the Japanese lots of trouble, not only firing his machine gun, but also using his pistol."[8]. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. I served until 2007 and retired.I was both an aviation medic and ground medic. She gave to his family to not be selfish and share. She helped many veterans at the VA Medical center where she lived. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. They both left with honorable discharges and they were both Sargents. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. I love my Vietnam compadres and family. John Basilone MoH. John Basilone's relationship with Lena Mae Basilone ended when John Basilone died on February 19, 1945. I loved the movie Pacific and i felt horrible when he died so young after they were married. The saddest days of my life were seeing Lenas normally fighting spirit wane after her surgery. As in most documentary/films some of the scenes and portrails of Lena were not quite right. Robin: Ask Barbara About what Lena said I dont want to bother anyone because she was like a daughter to Lena. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism and died in February 1945 during the invasion of Iwo Jima. WEnow are beginning to treat veterans with this problem. The U.S. Navy named a destroyer after him in 1945, which Lena Mae christened. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. 22 daily Regards, Doc Thats why I talk about so others are not misinformed by the media, or teachers, Paul. My mom had me and cousins who served over the years in the US and Israeli military. I thought I would share some of the information I have found on Lena Basilone, it's not much, but here it is. [12] After the parade, Basilone toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. or what its supposed to be. 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. Again it was my privilege to be with Lena during the sad days of her battles with congestive heart failure, the many calls for paramedics, the many trips to the ER. I have been trying to find you. [20], He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. I know through history lessons and though reading many books that John Basilone had done exactly what I would have done if given the chance. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. 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 very selfless.and helped without expecting anything in return. Hi Paul: I was a young kid when Vietnam went down. I knew Lean briefly due to my dealings with the VA in Long Beach. Regards,Doc, Robin: I second a lot of Pauls comments. I have my lense of combat by which I can see why the Pacific descended into the cauldron of hell that it was, both sides fought brutally with equal gusto. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing . The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. You were lucky to get to know her, even a little! 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. 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. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! Basilone was posthumously awarded the Marine Corps' second-highest decoration for valor, the Navy Cross, for extraordinary heroism during the battle 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. Year Title Role Notes 1999 On the Q.T. Chuck Tatum who survived Iwo Jima. Women marines can be rifleman which it is only right and fair. I had it easy in comparison. if anyone knows about a documentary about them please let me know? It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds. If so where can I find it. 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. Whether Geneva convention rules exist or not, you use weapons or do what it take to win.. 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. What a shame she is not buried with her husband. [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. My dad was in the Pacific on Guam, the Marshalls and Peleliu. Ive watched the HBO series several times. I was a medic to engineers when I was in the National Guards and Engineers are over overbearing about safety. 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. While you and your familys service is gratefuly appreciated, as a vietnam vet I have never talked or disscused voluntarily my service time as much as you seem to be inclined to do. His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. Irene Talbot The Naked Kiss (29-Oct-1964) Black Zoo (15-May-1963) I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. Lena Basilone and the Women Marines. She died in 1999 and was buried wearing her wedding ring. I had members of my family who served in the USMC and some were on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Quite a story. The gave us a lot and we appreciated their help in return as they helped us vets adjust. I am proud to speak to a member of John and Lenas family, Hi Vera, are you a relative of SGT Basilone? I know she would enrich my life. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. 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. 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. Sgt. 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. As a veteran, I have profound respect for her service to this country. Was never properly entered into her service records. 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. He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. She had a U.S. Marine Corps sign on the walker, so I asked her if she was a Marine. I think it will improve the militarys ability to fight. Basilone's Navy Cross citation reads as follows: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. My dad fought in the Peleliu campaign. I still feel that Lena was a marine that was tough as nails. . Basilone died before he and his new wife had time to have children. 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. John was a legend as was Lena.Beleive you me Lena is at peace. 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. Thank You David. So these male Marines of today who want to diss on women in the Corps need to be quiet. 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. Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. Oh, my, it must have been terrible for her. Hi Barbara! There are no words to describe this amazing lady.
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