John Basilone Quotes. We, as a nation, have been blessed to have such people serving to defend us. P.S. As a combat veteran myself it was extremely realistic and told what it was like. WEnow are beginning to treat veterans with this problem. 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. I salute everybody and those of us who survived. I suspect she feared if she was buried next to John, that might have dredged up old wounds with the family. There are few like them. God love the brothers from Nam and I never stop thinking about you guys. Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. Whatever we were doing on a weekday, she insisted we be home in time for her daily dose of Guiding Light ! Here is all of the publicly released testimony by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in one place. Lena Basilone, plus every picture I could find of her in her uniform showing her Sgt. I know your comment is from many years ago, but I do hope this finds you well! I think this battlespooked him. In 1943, Basilone returned to the United States and participated in war bond tours. As I have commented she was a LEGEND as was John. She helped a lot of vets navigate the system at LAs VA. My uncle, A surgeon eventually took care off me and it worked good. Representing The Fewer & ProuderGenerations of Service, SSG Richard"Rick"Doc" Borenstein,Medic Retired, ssg rick "doc " borenstein ret. I just watched HBO's The Pacific episode 7, it was great, tons of action. Lena Basilone was a very independent and rugged individual, who epitomized what the USMC is all about. 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. 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. A recent visit to the battle sites and the cemeteries in Europe was a moving experience and a grim reminder of sacrifices made for the freedom we enjoy! He enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 3, 1940, after serving three years in the United States Army with duty in the Philippines. Thank You very much for being Lenas family. December 26, 2022 by Robin. , Brad Garrett Wife Height, Is A Mobile Home Considered Real Property In Florida, Animated Music Videos . 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. In later life she served at the VA ;and everyone she came into contact with. It was my joy and privilege to be able to stay with her often in her home, to drive her for outings, groceries, shopping, doctor appointments or out to lunch or supper. On one occasion I drove Lena to Camp Pendleton for a celebration of the Womens Marine Corp. 60th anniversary, (I think it was 60) It was so great seeing how she was honored and revered by the young lady Marines. They had been married for 7.3 months. Basilone, [] On December 8, 1941, she went to go shopping. I tried my hardest through the years to get Lena to consent to be buried in Arlington Natioal Cemetary with her Johnny. She had made peace with her loss alone, without receiving any compassion from them. She was as fun, compassionate and loving as she was tough. Thanks Robin. That she and Gunnery Sgt. 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. I am glad that someone was able to be with Lena. they have only received veterans status within the last 15-20 years. He was an Army NCO in his mind. 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. 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. and we lost fewer soldiers because of better medical. I am a huge fan of him and his wife. 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. I know that she and her husband are together today as they have been since her death. 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. 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. The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. Born in Buffalo, New York, on 4 November 1916, he went to St. Bernard Parochial School in Raritan and enlisted in the Army at the age of 18. Through smoke and screaming and the crush of mortar fire, John Basilone never faltered. 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. They were married at St. Mary's Star of the Sea . She was every bit a Marine which I would follow anywhere. I think she was the most selfless person. Gotta gp get em.,during a hail of gunfire.Later in other conflicts it was knowledge I definitely needed and used, as it save my life. My uncles in WW II served both in Europe and the Pacific. I was a medic in Desert Storm, Korea,Bosnia, and Iraq. 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. He met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, while . I wish i could have known her. BASILONE, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. I also had the chance to tell her about Sgt. Japan two hours of early warning of raids. #ww2 The Pacific (2010)The Pacific Box Set - https://amzn.to/2War1EEThe Pacific: Hell Was an Ocean Away (Book) - https://amzn.to/3mbQg3WLink to main channel . I saw how ugly war gets, but I was a medic who had to be there to minimize the suffering of both sides. Johnny was definitely the love of her life! Its not a contest to receive one. Lena would have been one mess sergeant I would never worry about because she ran a very efficient mess hall and really cared about the food and other things mess halls served. It seems her Upgrade to Sgt . My mother married my father in 43 during the war and she constantly worried about him until he came. [15] They honeymooned at an onion farm near Portland, Oregon.[16]. Regardless of Service Branch, we all, will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters that only we can understand. War was fought with the idea that you do what you must do to win. Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors. Lena was a pioneer and an example many Marines can follow, I forgot to comment on you father. My father was a medic and water purification specialist. Semper Fi. He spoke very little about it. His love for her was her memorial. 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. 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. He was sent home to sell. On Camp Pendelton, there is an entry point to the base from Interstate 5 called "Basilone Road." Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. Lena was a pioneer Marine and very dedicated both to the Corps and to John. Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. I have stayed to true to taking care of the troops as a medic. To me as I have said before was a legend of her own in the Marine Corps. Legacy. Basilone's mother, Theadora Bencivenga, was born in 1889 and grew up in Manville, New Jersey, but her parents, Carlo and Catrina, also came from Benevento. Also, just as deeply in awe of Johns heroism, his ultimate sacrifice, and Lenas continued devotion to him for over 50 years. End note 456 reads: Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone / USMC (1916-1945): . However, I was impressed by the story of Lena and John Basilone. But the cynicism did not last, and Lena and John married in the summer of 1944: My dad served in the Pacific with the US Army who was in the Marshall Island, Marianas,and Peleliu. broward health medical center human resources phone number; steve watson obituary poplar bluff mo 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. [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. 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. January. She was laid to rest in the National Cemetery at Riverside, California. From what I have learned about her from you and others Lena was a very independent woman. Instead, Iwo Jima turned out to be a life raft. She is in town for the Iwo Jima Reunion and Symposium and working on his documentary. Her life and her love is a chapter sadly left untold. A very young, excited female Marine escorted her to the front of the room to cut the ceremonial cake! 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. As far as a documentary for Lena and John Basilone ,the Pacific is the only one I know of. I think the I dont want to be a bother remark reflected the reported poor treatment she received from Basilones family. "My heart is full of both sadness and joy today," Imbese said after the ceremony. Bullets hit him in the right groin, the neck, and just about blew off his left arm completely. I had to settle for the Army. Basilone's parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. Robin: Ask Barbara About what Lena said I dont want to bother anyone because she was like a daughter to Lena. Many, including Virginia herself, expected them to marry . 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!) Please feel free to email me at Alison.bardeguez@usmc.mil. The saddest days of my life were seeing Lenas normally fighting spirit wane after her surgery. I was there when at over 80 years of age the doctor decided to do heart bypass surgery. [9][10] As the battle went on, ammunition became critically low. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Which made him keep his accounts inside of him. The Death of "Manila John" Basilone. Another USS John Basilone is While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. : http://www.facebook.com/groups/10868541353/. I guess we all have our way to remember those important to us. It wasnt until The Pacific miniseries came out that we realized Lena lived in Riverside and had we known we could have contacted her. She was also constantly on top of mess hall sanitation too, which hers was the best on Pendleton. They will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters who willingly served this Country when she called. [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. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 her 32nd birthday. She helped many veterans at the VA Medical center where she lived. 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. Sgt. The Army for many years was their home and that was all they knew.Their dedication to our country made us what we are today.To me John and Lena Basilone are larger than life legends to me. We spoke once, I am Lena Riggi BAsilones niece, Lost your number in Computer world of storms. . SSG RickDoc Borenstein US Army (Ret). Hair nets are an essential thing for mess hall personnel as I have been a Mess hall inspector as part of medic duties. Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. 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. Lena was ahead of her time as were many women Marines. 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. You were lucky to get to know her, even a little! The Marines had a Sullivans which I fell victim too, I wanted to be a Marine. To me John was a legend whose legacy will not be matched for a long time. I knew of her by reputation as did other veterans. Death and burial ground of Basilone, John, "Manila John". During Virginia's participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, . I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors.

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