The Lena I knew would rather be buried where she was because she didnt seek the limelight and wanted to live a quiet life. Truly a wonderful woman of strong beliefs. I am eternal grateful for that help. Just before his 18th birthday, Basilone enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines as an infantryman from 1934 to 1937. Once in a while, I add a friends name to it. I salute everybody and those of us who survived. I was treated a few times at the VA facility in Long Beach where Lena helped get a lol of us through the system at the hospital. As she moved into her 80s, health issues began to crop up. Basilone, a member of the U.S. Marines, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action . I was a medic to engineers when I was in the National Guards and Engineers are over overbearing about safety. Brother & Sister. At least 38 dead Japanese were credited to Sergeant Basilone -- many were killed with his Colt .45 at almost arms length. Thank you, to the Sergeants Basilone for their service, and may God have united you again in heaven. They both are heros of mine. While the Marines landed, the Japanese concentrated their fire at the incoming Marines from heavily fortified blockhouses staged throughout the island. After receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps legend GySgt John Basilone fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. 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. Thats typical. She was the wife of John Basilone, one of the famous Marines every Marine Corps recruit learns about at boot camp. I want to honor her life and her lost story- but I cannot do that properly without personal testament. "It brings back so many memories.". John was killed on Iwo Jima February 19, 1945 just seven months after marrying the love of his life and seven months before the allies would declare victory in the Pacific. John Basilone is a Marine Corps legend. Lena Basilone, wife of Sgt. The Pacific War was one of the most savage wars ever fought. She was a Marine, so she already earns much respect. Donald Basilone was the youngest sibling of the Basilone family, and brother of GySgt. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. 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. After Gable's third wife, Carole Lombard, died in 1942 and he returned from military service in 1944, he and Virginia were often seen at restaurants and nightclubs together. offspring chris havel wife; airigh 'n eilean; ontario bar exam results 2020. project zomboid ham radio frequencies; gunton hall rooms; kauai hotels kama'aina rate 2021; mary katherine backstrom net worth 2020; blackstone managing director salary. (source). According to the funeral . 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. I am very moved and I thank all the American soldiers who fought the cruel war in the Pacific and here in our Europe. I didnt write for periods up to 1 month. 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 am at least a 3rd generation medic. This is an extraordinary piece of History. God bless Sgt. [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. 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. I got a lot of insights on it from my high school teachers who fought as Marines in the Pacific. In 21 Dec 1945 Lena christened a Navy destroyer ship named the USS Basilone in her husband's honor. 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. Regards Doc I Was A combat medic like my father, Thank You for thinking of Lena Basilone.She did a lot as was mentioned in my previous comments.She helped a lot of our veterans get access to services they needed. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. I too am writing about her for a project in the Marines. [15] They honeymooned at an onion farm near Portland, Oregon.[16]. The Democrat did not seek re-election for . i know in the movie she went to visit his parents. January. She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle. She was buried at a VA National Cemetery in Riverside, California wearing her wedding ring, having turned down being . Regardless of Service Branch, we all, will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters that only we can understand. 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. Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. The price of freedom is not cheap. The lady was happy to know that Lena was also a Portland Marine. I was there when at over 80 years of age the doctor decided to do heart bypass surgery. i am a proud American. I think she was the most selfless person. I was never one to really say anything religious. So Ive been doing some research of my own. I am so proud to be from a military family. 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. My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. She lived in California, worked for the electric company, and volunteered to serve in several organizations related to Marine. 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. I had members of my family who served in the USMC and some were on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. From what Ive read they gained a lot of prestige. The Basilones are a happy loving couple for the eternity. Only fitting that they be together, (2 marines) who on earth will be angry for such an act. Sergeant John Basilone's legacy is one of the most expansive and visible in Marine Corps history. God Bless Lena and John Basilone our heroes. I knew of her by reputation as did other veterans. 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. . 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. Lena was definitely one of a kind. 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. 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 . As far as a documentary for Lena and John Basilone ,the Pacific is the only one I know of. 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. Thanks, Dave. The were either Green Berets or medics, a supply clerk and even grunts. Lena was a pioneer Marine and very dedicated both to the Corps and to John. [12] After the parade, Basilone toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. I think their story is wonderful, and I am honoring our heritage as women in the Marines and her service to our nation by writing about the lost story of her life. Many airmens lives were saved as a result because fighter escort was there too to shepard the bombers that went to Japan. However, in my research: Ive discovered several factual errors in the miniseries re: the episodes showing the courtship of John and Lena. I am no hero, and my dad felt he was not a hero either. Regards, SSg Rick Doc Borenstein ret, US Army Medical Dept. Amen. They are soldiers with a purpose, soldiers who are tough, and agree with marine message that they are the best, the toughest, and will take on and complete any mission handed them. for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. Regards, SSG, Rick R. Doc Borenstein. During Virginia's participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, . I salute her, Ms. Garner: I saw the PACIFIC documentary. 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. We do a ceremony every wednesday for Vets without Families WE look straight out on her grave Rest in Peace Lena Basilone. As long as we have a Navy, there should be a fighting ship honoring his name! Thank God she had someone. Johnny was definitely the love of her life! Jesse:Do not ever feel disappointed that you could not serve.We volunteered as did the Basilones. They will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters who willingly served this Country when she called. I am not the Richard who posted this excellent comment. Whether Geneva convention rules exist or not, you use weapons or do what it take to win.. When the heavy .30 . Please call me and send your number. For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area. A very young, excited female Marine escorted her to the front of the room to cut the ceremonial cake! 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. I am a child of the Vietnam era and I was shaped by those soldiers who fought in Vietnam and adapted to them. He rarely talked about WW2 like a lot of other vets. 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. I think my Fathers generation were legends. Lena never forgot us and took care of us. us army combat medic i, FORT HOOD, Texas (Dec.11, 2022) Members of the search fire and rescue team, assigned to the Marine Corps Chemical, Biological Incident Response Force, saws through concrete while conducting a rescue during Exercise Sudden Response 23 at Fort Hood, Texas Dec. 11, 2022. Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. RegardsDoc P.S. I wished he didnt go back to war but he was truly a hero and great marine. My uncle Murray a medic did duty with the USMC and Army on Okinawa, My other uncle Dwight did a week on Iwo Jima before he was wounded twice and got oft the Island. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. They definitely did not wear cute little feminine skirted waitress type uniforms. Basilone so deeply loved only makes that respect more profound. Regards, I had to settle for the Army. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. It wasnt until The Pacific miniseries came out that we realized Lena lived in Riverside and had we known we could have contacted her. Basilone died before he and his new wife had time to have children. My god she was a hero as well as her husband. I know that she and her husband are together today as they have been since her death. As a combat veteran myself it was extremely realistic and told what it was like. Hi Robin: I second what you said. Please feel free to email me at Alison.bardeguez@usmc.mil. 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. Are their any other books about him? She had made peace with her loss alone, without receiving any compassion from them. BASILONE'S sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. 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. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time . [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. Sad they didnt have children. if anyone knows about a documentary about them please let me know? While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. Thanks Robin. In later life she served at the VA ;and everyone she came into contact with. WowI just started reading Im Staying With My Boys, the book about her husband. Thank you for your insights. Japan two hours of early warning of raids. I also wish to convey my condolences to you about your father. Some familys recognized that the problem existed after the war and helped them. I love my Vietnam compadres and family. 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. Then, John marries this stranger and he focuses on her instead of the family.My opinion is they were terribly jealous of her and blamed her for taking away their son and brother. My dad was a medic on Peleliu. She was as fun, compassionate and loving as she was tough. The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. She died in 1999 and was buried wearing her wedding ring. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. 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. Lena lost her husband within A few short months after their wedding . Ca.. Both her and her husband had each other and that was enough. On July 3, 1944, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps. Semper Fi Doc(Yes,like my dad Im a medic too), Does anyone know what was behind her comment related to possible burial for herself at Arlington National Cemetery I do not want to be a bother to anyone ? Semper Fi. The other person that helped vets in the LA area was Audie L Murphys wife, Terry. She was an incredible human being and an even better marine, but before posting an article make sure you watch the entire series there were 2 more episodes after your supposed conclusion. I want to reduce veteran suicide statistic rate. 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. [21] His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died on June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. Megan, I met Lena long after she served in the USMC. I thought I would share some of the information I have found on Lena Basilone, it's not much, but here it is. Your right Marie. 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. And your efforts have been repaid many times over I am sure, by those who now know more about her. She made an effort to reconcile with them after the war when she visited and presented to the family Johns Medal of Honor. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Just thought her comment about not wanting to be a bother to anyone was a bit unusual..but am beginning to see that it was instead just very much in her character.
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