Her spirit still lives on.. I write this with tears streaming as I think about the years of fun we shared together. Her favorite framed picture of Johnny always sat looking at her from atop her TV! 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". 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. I hope that eventually she will be interned with her husband. He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. I also remember my fallen comrades from high school, through Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm Iraq and Afghanistan. John Basilone MoH. God bless Lena and John in as they are together in the World without end. [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. America was so much better i am sure. If any of you served with or knew Lena please let me know. He left for Camp Pendleton, California, for training on December 27. After John Basilone's death, his wife Lena never remarried. In October, he and the two machine-gun sections under his command held off an attack by a numerically far superior Japanese force. Wife of John Basilone. When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. A strong woman of her duty to the Marine Corps and steadfast in her love of a man and not the legend. And your efforts have been repaid many times over I am sure, by those who now know more about her. [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 . The U.S. Navy named a destroyer after him in 1945, which Lena Mae christened. (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. I am confident that they have been reunited and are now able to enjoy the chance to be together forever that the war took away from them. 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. She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle. She was a Marine, so she already earns much respect. Lena Basilone was a very independent and rugged individual, who epitomized what the USMC is all about. Thanks for taking care of Lena, Stella: My dad was a veteran of the Pacific. Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. I think it will improve the militarys ability to fight. I agree, Lena was a loyal wife to a great Marine! He was sent home to sell. 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. Thank you for your service as well as everyone who serves. I had it easy in comparison. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these . You got tired both physically and mentally quickly. Jesse:Do not ever feel disappointed that you could not serve.We volunteered as did the Basilones. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. She was very selfless.and helped without expecting anything in return. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism and died in February 1945 during the invasion of Iwo Jima. They definitely did not wear cute little feminine skirted waitress type uniforms. You were lucky to get to know her, even a little! He became a doctor and served his community well. Basilone, a member of the U.S. Marines, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action . if anyone knows about a documentary about them please let me know? He is one of the reasons why I joined the Marine Corp! G-d keep us always in palm of your hand and love us always. One primary example was the Womens Air Service Pilots, out of Abilene Texas. This is what Memorial Day or Decoration Day is all about. At 7 p.m. Sept. 17, the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band will present the free 27th John Basilone Commemorative Concert at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg. 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. 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. Peter J. Basilone, register of wills for Baltimore County and a former state legislator, died Thursday of liver cancer at his Towson residence. It has a cost, a soldiers life. Their work will not be forgotten by all who were in contact with them. I was never one to really say anything religious. There are no words to describe this amazing lady. 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. January. I have 8 combat campaigns from Vietnam era to Iraq.It was my frame of combat reference.. May 10, 2013!! I wish she could see, hear and read the admiration so many have for her. Parents Salvatore and Theadora Basilone. 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. I have found that the movie industry gets some aspects of Lenas actual life facts wrong. 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. I miss Lena even it was a brief time I knew her .Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein Ret, Hi Barbara, After seeing pacific and reading about John Basilone i have so much admiration for the both of them. He also was at Peleliu with the the 321st or 81st divisions he never said much about it. Lena as a dear and precious friend of mine. Widowed Unfortunately, Basilone was killed in action on Iwo Jima. 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. It seems her Upgrade to Sgt . They had been married for 7.3 months. I am affiliated with many WWII and Viet Nam vets and we never talk about what happened over there as much as you have on this forum. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time . 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. 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]. These Marines were the pioneers who created an Army I passed my torch unto as well as Marine Corps we have today. or what its supposed to be. Outmanned and with supplies low, Basilone and other marines on Guadacanal rally to repel superior Japanese forces. Consistently daring and aggressive as he fought his way over the battle-torn beach and up the sloping, gun-studded terraces toward Airfield Number 1, he repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of exploding shells and later in the day coolly proceeded to the aid of a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages, skillfully guiding the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite the overwhelming volume of hostile fire. They were dumb animals who wanted . This is what I remember about Lena. My dad served in the Pacific with the US Army who was in the Marshall Island, Marianas,and Peleliu. 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. So he couldnt have possibly made the best coffee she ever had. Still, its a good part of the story consider that may very well have been the reaction of some parents upon discovering their daughter was joining the Marine Corps. He was one of a family of ten children. May they both rest in peace and live on in the history they helped write. 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. I am at least a 3rd generation medic. I am not the Richard who posted this excellent comment. I see that your family had a lot of marines and sailors, as are some members of my family. May God Bless John and Lena Basilone. 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. "That was our first real look, up close, at the war."-John Basilone. During Virginia's participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, . DocBorenstein Lena loved her volunteer work at the VA Hospital in Long Beach. In fact if you talk to many who are still alive they will tell you they do not enjoy having that reminder but they respect the award and that is that. Lena earned the right to be buried next to John. Virginia Grey is now deceased. Women recently won an important victory, they now can be combat arms officers. I was a medic to engineers when I was in the National Guards and Engineers are over overbearing about safety. Celebrity Birthdays; Celebrity Deaths; . BASILONE, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. [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. Thank you for your comments.My father and your fathers dedicated service in the Pacific will not be forgotten by me.The Basilones John and Lena were legends. They were good examples which I followed. I had to settle for the Army. Please feel free to email me at the address below or Alison.Bardeguez@usmc.mil, I just want to say what a beautiful story of your meeting and becoming her friend. Lena never remarried. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. [15] They honeymooned at an onion farm near Portland, Oregon.[16]. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing . My biggest campaigns was Korea in the 70s, Desert Storm,(2 tours) Bosnia, and Iraq. BASILONE, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. I would have giving anything to have met MRS Lena Basilone. On Camp Pendelton, there is an entry point to the base from Interstate 5 called "Basilone Road." [2] He was the sixth of ten children. At that time women were not accepted in a mans world in the military at that time. I am eternal grateful for that help. The Death of "Manila John" Basilone. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 3, 1940, after serving three years in the United States Army with duty in the Philippines. 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. May g-d in wisdom help us fix the VA after the recent round of events. GOD bless you, and thank you for evidently just being you. She was satisfied to live on with her memories of John and their relationship, far more consoling than a medal. If Gy Basilone, one of the greatest Marines who ever lived, had respect for a Woman Marine enough to marry one, then they need to show respect, too! On February 19, 1945, the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, he was serving as a machine gun section leader on Red Beach II. Regardless of Service Branch, we all, will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters that only we can understand. It had a few details that were not accurate and you were correct. Doc..thanks for the reply. I read the book Im staying with my boys. 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. to me it was a tough and frustrating war in many ways. I learned from others like uncles, friends and comrades. I knew Lean briefly due to my dealings with the VA in Long Beach. I think I am beginning to understand Lena a bit better. 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 . I was so happy for them both when they got married. It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. I can also say to you that those who do - seem to need some sort of verification for their time in country. 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. You truley were a good friend to her. The service teachs you to do things bigger than yourself. Thanks Robin. God Bless Lena and John Basilone our heroes. God bless! i am very proud of both my brothers as they got many commendations from their service. Lena always had her wallet full of Johnnys pictures. Thank you both for your service and sacrifice. 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 Although she was just. She is my hero. [3] Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military. 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. She responded that she had served as a Marine in the early 70s. 2023.03.03 20:19 bolavitaslots BolavitaSlot Daftar Situs Slots Deposit Bank Lampung No.1 Indonesia What a shame she is not buried with her husband. I knew of only one other like her,Terry Murphy Audie Murphys wife.,he died in 1971. She is truely my hero as well as her husband. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II. Whatever we were doing on a weekday, she insisted we be home in time for her daily dose of Guiding Light ! Sgt Lena sounds like a very strong and amazing woman. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. Death At Iwo Jima I am a retired US Army medic that served for 33 1/2 years. Regards, They finally agreed to wife of Sgt.John Basilone. 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. 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 is interviewing Iwo Jima Marines and those who knew her Uncle. I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. Also, just as deeply in awe of Johns heroism, his ultimate sacrifice, and Lenas continued devotion to him for over 50 years. But the cynicism did not last, and Lena and John married in the summer of 1944: 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. I do miss her to this day. Paul I want to learn about Nam because what my commanders in Basic, AIT, and even in units I later joined trained this old medic in Vietnam methods, tactics and how to stay alive, especially when the cry medic was heard, aka our fatal flaw.