There are few like them. She always appeared and acted much younger than her actual age. Lena was a pioneer Marine and very dedicated both to the Corps and to John. Why was no other keel ever laid down in his honor? In 1943, Basilone returned to the United States and participated in war bond tours. He was one of a family of ten children. Sgt Lena sounds like a very strong and amazing woman. How Cpl John Mackie became the first Marine to earn the Medal of Honor. 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 . Ric, thank you for pointing out Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. I didnt realize that! John Basilone - Arlington National Cemetery We spent many, many hours together and even though her Johnny had been killed many years before she had a way of talking about him that made me feel I knew him personally. I salute everybody and those of us who survived. After his death, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. The Basilones are a happy loving couple for the eternity. My uncles are marine and Navy vets as well as my two brothers who are Marines. Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. Regards, SSg Rick Doc Borenstein ret, US Army Medical Dept. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of Marines John and Lena My Uncle Dick fought and flag razed on Mount Suribaci. Coffee or Die Magazine | 'I'm Staying With My Boys' A Glimpse into 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. While the Marines landed, the Japanese concentrated their fire at the incoming Marines from heavily fortified blockhouses staged throughout the island. John Basilone | Historica Wiki | Fandom Hi, your very lucky to have known Lena Basilone. If any of you served with or knew Lena please let me know. She lived in California, worked for the electric company, and volunteered to serve in several organizations related to Marine. In October, he and the two machine-gun sections under his command held off an attack by a numerically far superior Japanese force. It doesnt go into as much depth as you have but it does give her closure in the series. Its a warm joy to read the postings here. It wasnt until The Pacific miniseries came out that we realized Lena lived in Riverside and had we known we could have contacted her. My father and I did our jobs as we were expected to by our comrades and as we expected to. Although she was just. I would love to know if anyone knows of someone or is the person who knew Lena or even John or both while they served. Explore John Basilone net worth, birthday, height, age, bio, salary, 2023! End note 456 reads: Donald Basilone was the youngest sibling of the Basilone family, and brother of GySgt. A very young, excited female Marine escorted her to the front of the room to cut the ceremonial cake! 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. Basilone in his personal humility and unwavering dedication to the men who served with him, became a true hero of the American people during World War II."-John Basilone. Her love and bond so strong that she stayed single over 50 years. Ms Barbara Garner: I am a retired Army medic. I suspect she feared if she was buried next to John, that might have dredged up old wounds with the family. They are Medal of Honor RECIPIENTS. At first they did not want to acknowledge Lena had the rank of Sgt. Lena as a dear and precious friend of mine. HBO did a wonderful job and I wish to see more great documentarylike shows that can bring history to life. That she and Gunnery Sgt. Many airmens lives were saved as a result because fighter escort was there too to shepard the bombers that went to Japan. Thanks to a character in the recent television series called "The Pacific", the name of a female Marine has made an appearance on the pop culture radar: Lena Mae Riggi. Some familys recognized that the problem existed after the war and helped them. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. 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. 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. Although she was just. "That was our first real look, up close, at the war."-John Basilone. It was so sad that they never got to spend their lives together. I have had my father, uncles, and even grandfathers who fought in WW II and have had find out what it was like because vets find it easier to talk to other vets. Lena Riggi | The Pacific Wiki | Fandom Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. 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. "My heart is full of both sadness and joy today," Imbese said after the ceremony. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. 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. Semper FI, Both tremendous Marines who loved each other and their country. She belongs at Arlington. At least 38 dead Japanese were credited to Sergeant Basilone -- many were killed with his Colt .45 at almost arms length. Just before his 18th birthday, Basilone enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines as an infantryman from 1934 to 1937. He along with many Marines fought like tigercats on that island.Eugene Sledge,Robert Leckie,and RV Burgin were heroes of that island .I too took part during the Vietnam era in combat in Korea(limited basis),Desert Storm,Bosnia(peacekeeper)and Iraq.The war of my father and the Marines was a much more intense combat.Those men rose to the occassion espeically John Basilone at Guadalcanal. 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. Regards, SSG, Rick R. Doc Borenstein. Marine's heroism gave him legendary status. It has the picture of him like the statue they made of him in his hometown. She was every bit a Marine which I would follow anywhere. I tried your church and they had nothing and various places and people in Ca,You were so important to Aunt Lena. He was 78. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. It was so my privilege to know Lena as my dear friend! God bless Sgt. I want to reduce veteran suicide statistic rate. 22 daily Regards, Doc Thats why I talk about so others are not misinformed by the media, or teachers, Paul. I served as a medic for most of Army career of 33 1/2 yrs and would not have missed it for the world. She remained active with the Women's Marine Association and died in June 1999 at 86 years of age. Fortunately, I have known a lot of Lenas who I served with. A scrapbook compiled by the family of US Marine Sgt. He did things bigger than himself and didnt want the limelight. [4], Basilone enlisted in the United States Army in July 1934[4] and completed his three-year enlistment with service in the Philippines, where he was a champion boxer. She was never accepted by Johns family, as if she had taken him away from them. . So now Im just stoked and really want to learn more and perhaps write a book about her. I cannot imagine what physical pain he suffered and emotional pain Lena endured. To apply for a WMA Emergency Grant, you must complete the online application form and provide documentation of your financial emergency. John R Basilone Obituary (1956 - 2023) | Pemberton, New Jersey - Echovita Stouthearted and indomitable, Gunnery Sergeant BASILONE, by his intrepid initiative, outstanding skill, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of the fanatic opposition, contributed materially to the advance of his company during the early critical period of the assault, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the bitter conflict was an inspiration to his comrades and reflects the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant BASILONE and the United States Naval Service. One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient. She was very selfless.and helped without expecting anything in return. I think I am beginning to understand Lena a bit better. Basilone, a member of the U.S. Marines, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action . Irene Talbot The Naked Kiss (29-Oct-1964) Black Zoo (15-May-1963) 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. To me as I have said before was a legend of her own in the Marine Corps. Lena Basilone and the Women Marines. John Basilone | Medal of Honor Recipient | Study.com Only 34 Japanese survived it. The USS Basilone, was decommissioned in 1977. : My dad was the same way even though. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. 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. You may see an updated blog entry from me here in the coming day sharing what Ive discovered , Thank You Sabrina: I am glad to learn about these facts. Thanks to a character in the recent television series called The Pacific, the name of a female Marine has made an appearance on the pop culture radar: Lena Mae Riggi. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. Keep up the good work Women Marines Association! We both felt there was bigger job to medics. 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. She is one of the marines who made the corps what it is today. They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds. As long as we have a Navy, there should be a fighting ship honoring his name! I served for 34 years nearly and the others did service from 4-30 years.I definitely appreciate what family did in Vietnam. NOTHING would have been too much trouble for me, but I honored her wishes to have her buried in the National Cemetary in Riverside, Ca. My father was in the Pacific with the 32nd and 81st. Maybe a bio or maybe a fictionalized with fact sort of book ala Alex Haileys Rootsbut we shall see what we shall see. Lena was definitely one of a kind. John Basilone's Grave. The Lena I knew would rather be buried where she was because she didnt seek the limelight and wanted to live a quiet life. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. I had family in 1st Mar Div ahead of and had to join the Army in 73. The Pacific War was one of the most savage wars ever fought. . Their sacrifice was NOT in vain. . [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. I am glad that someone stepped in to be family for her. They . The top brass who gave the OK should be the ones to blame. The lady was happy to know that Lena was also a Portland Marine. From her Find-A-Grave entry and her obituary: Lena Mae Riggi was born on March 7, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. [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. I have studied the war in the Pacific. Hi Barbara! He is one of the reasons why I joined the Marine Corp! Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. did john basilone sleep with virginia grey - stmatthewsbc.org I think you went through a tougher ringer than I did with exception for Iraq. Leatherneck November 1988. For his heroism there, he was awarded the Navy. Your right Marie. If you call any of them a winner you are disgracing the recipients and those who died earning it. I know your comment is from many years ago, but I do hope this finds you well! Lena Basilone returns John's Medal of Honor - YouTube 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! 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. How the Marines' hero of Guadalcanal died at Iwo Jima John Basilone Biography - USS Basilone DDE/DD 824 [11] Afterwards, Private First Class Nash W. Phillips of Fayetteville, North Carolina, recalled from the battle for Guadalcanal: "Basilone had a machine gun on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest, or food. 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
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