John Basilone. DocBorenstein Lena loved her volunteer work at the VA Hospital in Long Beach. It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. 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. The memorial parade for Basilone along Somerset Street in his hometown of Raritan, New Jersey, has been held since 1981. Being on the home front is just as valuable.When I was deployed, the letters,the care packages,and support for us kept us going.You people of the homefront keep our morale up more than you know. Medal of Honor Recipients - MCA 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]. and we lost fewer soldiers because of better medical. I have been a combat veteran from the Vietnam era to Iraq. To me John was a legend whose legacy will not be matched for a long time. Neither did they want to include she was the wife of Gunnery Sgt. 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. This is what I remember about Lena. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism and died in February 1945 during the invasion of Iwo Jima. Doc John Basilone. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. I hope that you dont get what Im saying to you wrong Im not beating you up its just saying what Ive learned from the older Marines was the thing to do. She was never accepted by Johns family, as if she had taken him away from them. I am glad that someone was able to be with Lena. The number 456 references one of hundreds of end notes in the back of the book. WEnow are beginning to treat veterans with this problem. The service teachs you to do things bigger than yourself. Thats a hard thing to take, but she took it and carried on. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. During the fighting on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone's actions would result in him being awarded the Medal of Honor. She must have been a great marine. Lena as a dear and precious friend of mine. Thank God she had someone. 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. John Basilone is a Marine Corps legend. Lena M. Basilone died June 11, 1999, at the age of 86, and was buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California . His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. 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. To me as I have said before was a legend of her own in the Marine Corps. God bless Lena and John in as they are together in the World without end. May they rest in peace. Lena Basilone returns her late husband's Medal of Honor to his family.From HBO's "The Pacific", episode 10 of 10. My uncle, A surgeon eventually took care off me and it worked good. John Basilone MoH. I guess we all have our way to remember those important to us. Lena was the pioneer and was a very strong Non commissioned officer and ran a very good mess hall. 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). I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. This is an extraordinary piece of History. Robin: Ask Barbara About what Lena said I dont want to bother anyone because she was like a daughter to Lena. Lena never remarried. I deserved it. My cousins, and two uncles fought there and I learned quickly what Vietnam was about. [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. Date of Death : February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima Airport / Iohjima Airport / Iohtoh Airport, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan : Place of Birth : Buffalo : Country: . They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds. She is in town for the Iwo Jima Reunion and Symposium and working on his documentary. The Headstone indicated in the photograph, is not The Headstone at Her Grave. I read the book Im staying with my boys. Basilone was posthumously awarded the Marine Corps' second-highest decoration for valor, the Navy Cross, for extraordinary heroism during the battle of Iwo Jima. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland. 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. 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. Shirt sleeves rolled up and of course the regulation short hair in hairnets!! On Camp Pendelton, there is an entry point to the base from Interstate 5 called "Basilone Road." I have written about Her for years, and a photograph of the current Headstone can be found at. SSG RickDoc Borenstein US Army (Ret). My husband was stationed in California in the 80s; I even stayed with one of his relatives in Riverside while he checked in at MCRD San Diego. Thank you both for your service and sacrifice. Some were there when I wanted to to be a Marines,and the rules said I could not be one. The Marines had a Sullivans which I fell victim too, I wanted to be a Marine. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. John Basilone Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements He served as a medic like I did and later became a doctor. Was never properly entered into her service records. Lena was the same kind of a Marine too. She did many things that were bigger than herself.including returning Johns medal of honor to his family, well as his insurance.Lena was in charge of her life as well as her marines she served with.To me and other she is a legend in a league of her own and many women Marines I have know are the same way.Lena was definetly her own person, if that helps you understand her. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Lena was a pioneer and an example many Marines can follow, I forgot to comment on you father. May g-d in wisdom help us fix the VA after the recent round of events. My generation followed their example and I think its why I survived 5 conflicts with mild to moderate PTSD. I served in 5 combat deployments. 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. The television show featured her as a significant character in the final episode: The Pacific Part 8: Iwo Jima: 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. 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. This weekend GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the Iwo Jima reunion and symposium as well as working on the official documentary of John Basilone and Lena Riggi. Its not a contest to receive one. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. Thanks for taking care of Lena, Stella: My dad was a veteran of the Pacific. Regardless of Service Branch, we all, will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters that only we can understand. Basilone, a member of the U.S. Marines, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action . Ca.. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. Thank you Barbara Garner for your detailed comments about the wonderful Lena, and how you tried to get her to agree to be buried near her husband. I ran into her at the Long beach veterans amdinisitration hospital and she helped through the bureaucratic maze and was with me the entire day,I have never forgottten her. She had much empathy for every veteran. It had a few details that were not accurate and you were correct. But only small details.for instance, at that time all lady marines that worked in the kitchen wore the mens fatigues, but not the ones popular today. I have found that the movie industry gets some aspects of Lenas actual life facts wrong. . Sergeant John Basilone's legacy is one of the most expansive and visible in Marine Corps history. In 1943, Basilone returned to the United States and participated in war bond tours. The Pacific War was one of the most savage wars ever fought. 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. News of John's death, which had occurred on February 19th, 1945, did not reach home until March 8th, 1945, a Thursday. Why John Basilone Might Be The Toughest Soldier Of World War II Here's Only Marine to win Medal of Honor, Navy Cross During WWII My mother married my father in 43 during the war and she constantly worried about him until he came. 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. G-d keep us always in palm of your hand and love us always. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II. Death and burial ground of Basilone, John, "Manila John". Please feel free to email me at Alison.bardeguez@usmc.mil. 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 think I am beginning to understand Lena a bit better. This is what Memorial Day or Decoration Day is all about. It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. During Virginia's participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, . Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 - her 32nd birthday. They were good examples which I followed. I do miss her to this day. I served from Dec 73 to Jun 2007 in the Army and Air Force. Lena too lived a life of service Helping many veterans. Whatever we were doing on a weekday, she insisted we be home in time for her daily dose of Guiding Light ! 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! You truley were a good friend to her. I too am writing about her for a project in the Marines. We are a better world because of them Regards, Doc. As I have grown up and I served many others became my family when I lost my dad to cancer.They filled in as role models and kept on the right path. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines had been virtually annihilated. 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. Instead, Iwo Jima turned out to be a life raft. 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. sabrinammessenger..WELL SAID!! I have had 7 combat campaigns to boot too Lena was not not much for publicity and kept a low profile. 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. 456 John Basilone died a painful death in the dirt near Motoyama Airfield Number One. My name is Ali Bardeguez, and I was wondering if maybe you had some insight to her upbringing? Basilone died before he and his new wife had time to have children. The story is woven with surprising personal details. It seems her Upgrade to Sgt . God love the brothers from Nam and I never stop thinking about you guys. And your efforts have been repaid many times over I am sure, by those who now know more about her. Basilone fought. As far as a documentary for Lena and John Basilone ,the Pacific is the only one I know of. 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. Uncompromising with her conversations. The USS Basilone, a Gearing -class destroyer sponsored by Basilone's wife Lena, was laid down and launched in 1945 and commissioned in 1949. It was so sad that they never got to spend their lives together. Why was no other keel ever laid down in his honor? 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. I got a lot of insights on it from my high school teachers who fought as Marines in the Pacific. I was so happy for them both when they got married. Another USS John Basilone is scheduled for commission in 2019. What was the most moving person I had found was that of Lena. On July 3, 1944, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps. [3] Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military. My biggest campaigns was Korea in the 70s, Desert Storm,(2 tours) Bosnia, and Iraq. I think the I dont want to be a bother remark reflected the reported poor treatment she received from Basilones family. Blue 'Pacific' - New York Post I guess they are upstairs with the Lord, living in the cabin. I cannot imagine what physical pain he suffered and emotional pain Lena endured. United States Government. Virginia Grey - Biography - IMDb The hospital environment would have been a nightmare without her.Lena saidonce you had the best.there was no need to be involved with the rest, as she was totally faithful to John for a life time, although her time with him was brief. Regards, SSg Rick Doc Borenstein ret, US Army Medical Dept. [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. 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. And she cut it with flair! Anyway it looks like John and Lena Basilone meet and fall in love during episode 8. Parents Salvatore and Theadora Basilone. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. Just before his 18th birthday, Basilone enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines as an infantryman from 1934 to 1937. Regards,Doc, Robin: I second a lot of Pauls comments. Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. It has a cost, a soldiers life. John Basilone, who had already served three years in the Phillippines with the U.S. Army when he joined the Marines in 1940 as a machine gunner with C Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine . The tickets are free but . My intrest was to watch what my two Uncles had gone through as they were in all those battles amongst all the Marines. But he was very persistent !! We talked about her experiences. Lets just say Ive become officially obsessed with the story. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. I love my Vietnam compadres and family. I especially loved the story about Manila John and Sgt Lena! Her spirit still lives on.. I worked every day of my EMS career to prevent this. John Basilone was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. That was their mistake. Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. They are Medal of Honor RECIPIENTS. Hope you were able to get the Pacific series. 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. It should be cherished by Marines Past, Present, and Future. A colossal critical and commercial failure, it essentially marked the end of Hunter's career as a major Hollywood player. My uncles in WW II served both in Europe and the Pacific. I didnt write for periods up to 1 month. I served 33 1/2 years from the Vietnam Era to Iraq.. These drones can remain airborne until a target is identified at which point they set a course for that target and go out in a blaze of glory. He also was at Peleliu with the the 321st or 81st divisions he never said much about it. The heart broken widow bride - History of Sorts Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring. Lena received a telegram and went back to the beach, mourning him. My hero as well as her husband. I pray for all of them. After I sent any piece of information I could find acknowledging her as Sgt. However, in my research: Ive discovered several factual errors in the miniseries re: the episodes showing the courtship of John and Lena. They finally agreed to wife of Sgt.John Basilone. I think it is what spooked him from combat. They definitely did not wear cute little feminine skirted waitress type uniforms. I just saw this site today for the first time. The homecoming parade occurred on Sunday, September 19 and drew a huge crowd with thousands of people, including politicians, celebrities, and the national press. He went to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River. However, I was impressed by the story of Lena and John Basilone. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. Lena was ahead of her time as were many women Marines. I reluctantly want to fight wars but as a medic we are needed to ease the suffering and save lives, Hi SGT Rick, i love everything about the greatest generation. Marine Sergeant Lena Basilone was the wife of Medal of Honor winner John Basilone. Required fields are marked *. The USS Basilone, was decommissioned in 1977. 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. 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. Only fitting that they be together, (2 marines) who on earth will be angry for such an act. Which made him keep his accounts inside of him. Womens symposium focuses on family unit, Sgt Lena Basilone Part Three The semi-normal, day-to-day life of a female Marine, John Basilone: Returning to the Fight After Earning Medal of Honor, Read the Signs along the Road :: Stolinsky.com | Conservative political and social commentary, Sunday Salute: Sergeant Lena Riggi Basilone Deb Sinness, Author, Follow Women Marines Association on WordPress.com, Little Marine's Journal: Why I Joined the Marine Corps, Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 1 of 6], Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 2 of 6], Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 3 of 6], Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 4 of 6], Marine 1st sergeant uses combat experience to save man hit by car, 3D animation shows the inner-workings of an AR-15, Everything we know Gen. Milley has told the Jan. 6 panel, As Ukraine highlights value of killer drones, Marine Corps wants more. This saved innumerable lives.John and Lena Basilones were legends.they contributed mightily to our victory inthe Pacific. This is probably why it occurred. I knew of only one other like her,Terry Murphy Audie Murphys wife.,he died in 1971. Although she was just. My daddy was killed in Germany at the battle at the Remagen Bridge in 1945. The price of freedom is not cheap. The Lena I knew would rather be buried where she was because she didnt seek the limelight and wanted to live a quiet life. This N.J town has a sister in Italy, thanks to a WWII hero May God Bless John and Lena Basilone. Sgt. 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.
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