It has a cost, a soldiers life. On December 8, 1941, she went to go shopping. 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. John Basilone's relationship with Lena Mae Basilone ended when John Basilone died on February 19, 1945. Was your father on the bridge when that occurred? He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism and died in February 1945 during the invasion of Iwo Jima. This has been an exclusively a mans kingdom. I guess she told her friend Barbara that she didnt want to bother anyone which is silly. This is how I remember those who were vets like my dad and friends including my oldest sister. [3] Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military. She had a U.S. Marine Corps sign on the walker, so I asked her if she was a Marine. I just had a question, was she close to his family after he passed? Hi Mike or Major Pain. Sgt. 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. She loved him very much. United States Government. Your email address will not be published. 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. but those were the times and conditions because I think Americans wanted a quicker end to WWII. [15] They honeymooned at an onion farm near Portland, Oregon.[16]. 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. But he was very persistent !! I lost some high school buddies that went to Nam as well some in later conflicts. Words fail me when I try to convey my sense of admiration and appreciation for people like the Basilones. She always did things that were bigger than herself. I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. Your email address will not be published. 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. The story of "Manila John" is part of every Marine's boot camp education. I got a lot of insights on it from my high school teachers who fought as Marines in the Pacific. He did things bigger than himself and didnt want the limelight. Oh, my, it must have been terrible for her. He was sent home to sell. I believe they had no further contact with her. Although she was just. John Basilone (04 November 1916 to 19 February 1945) was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who received the Medal of Honour 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 . 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. 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. The Remagen bridge commanders I think forgot about safety, which at that time the bridge was needed to get men and equipment into Germany to sustain the offensive they started. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. Basilone was born in his Italian American parents' home on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. Lena served an important role though,giving the soldier good chow was a morale booster. Stella. Her spirit still lives on.. I claim nothing in this video. I hope we can share information! They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. I know she would enrich my life. Lena Basilone teachs me a lot even after she is gone from our presence. Although she was just. Such a self-effacing woman she must have been, all the while doing so much good for others! I finally got to see the Pacificand I was just blown away! Each time his visions came to pass - including the last - foretelling his death. 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.
Medal of Honor Recipients - MCA She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Its a warm joy to read the postings here. Madly in love by all accounts from their time at Camp Pendleton, Lena and John would enjoy just seven months as husband and wife before John's fateful landing on Red Beach II of Iwo Jima in February 1945.
Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone | The semi-normal, day - a female Marine Lena was a pioneer Marine and very dedicated both to the Corps and to John. The video explains why the rifle is such an efficient, and ultimately dangerous, weapon. The Headstone indicated in the photograph, is not The Headstone at Her Grave. There are no words to describe this amazing lady. Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. Whatever we were doing on a weekday, she insisted we be home in time for her daily dose of Guiding Light ! Although she was just.
Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone - Women Marines Association She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle.
Marine hero honored again with ship name - San Diego Union-Tribune 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. I served in 5 combat deployments. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News.
Why John Basilone Might Be The Toughest Soldier Of World War II Basilone's Navy Cross citation reads as follows: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to. He was one of a family of ten children. I am proud to speak to a member of John and Lenas family, Hi Vera, are you a relative of SGT Basilone?
Pacific Wrecks - The Pacific Episode 8 - Historical Commentary on The One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient.
John R Basilone Obituary (1956 - 2023) | Pemberton, New Jersey - Echovita I am proud to call John and Lena. I had family in 1st Mar Div ahead of and had to join the Army in 73. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. John's wife, Lena, originally from Oregon, remained in California after John's death and never remarried. On the night of October 25, 1942, the Japanese focused their attack on John Basilone's units. I know that she and her husband are together today as they have been since her death. 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. 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. Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors. She even said when you had the best,who wants the rest especially after John was killed at Iwo Jima. The Greatest Generation. He was 78. I wish I had an opportunity to know her more closely. The saddest days of my life were seeing Lenas normally fighting spirit wane after her surgery. 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. 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. Take care, SSG RickDoc Borenstein,US Army Medical Dept, (ret).
Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of Marines John and Lena My father,Dr Milt Borenstein was a combat medic in the Pacific Attached to the USMC under General Roy Geiger of Guadalcanal fame.When Lena met John she was in charge of a mess hall at Camp Pendleton,California. Virginia Grey Entertainment - Actress Why Famous: Hullabaloo, film Age: 87 (3/22/1917 - 7/31/2004) Virginia Grey's Relationships (3) John Basilone Other - Other Why Famous: Recipient of Medal of Honor for Battle of Guadalcanal She gave to his family to not be selfish and share. 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. I want to honor her life and her lost story- but I cannot do that properly without personal testament. I served 33 1/2 years from the Vietnam Era to Iraq.. I know one person who could answer this question better than me. Regards, David, I still dont understand Lenas comment about not wanting to be a bother to anyone and NOT be buried near her husband to be quite strange.
February 19, 1945: Uncommon Valor, John Basilone Dies at Iwo Jima 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. [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. He then repaired and manned another machine gun, holding the defensive line until relief arrived. Thanks for posting her story. The . 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. John Basilone's Grave. He rarely talked about WW2 like a lot of other vets. Uncompromising with her conversations. 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. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of John R Basilone of Pemberton, New Jersey, who passed away on February 5, 2023, at the age of 66, leaving to mourn family and friends. The Democrat did not seek re-election for . He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. I never get tired of watching Pacific.My dad was in the Navy 22 yrs, served in the Pacific,in all the island hopping campaigns. During the fighting on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone's actions would result in him being awarded the Medal of Honor. This is what I remember about Lena. What a debt we owe to that generation. Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. Lena Basilone returns her late husband's Medal of Honor to his family.From HBO's "The Pacific", episode 10 of 10.
Remembering the ultimate Marine, John Basilone, on Memorial Day Her favorite framed picture of Johnny always sat looking at her from atop her TV! They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds. Sad they didnt have children.
John Basilone - America's Hero - Marines WWII Hi Robin: I second what you said. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! A strong woman of her duty to the Marine Corps and steadfast in her love of a man and not the legend. Giving Johns Medal of Honor to his Mom and Dad was a selfless and gracious gift .
John Basilone (1916 - 1945) - Genealogy - geni family tree I agree with you, for theres more to the story then meets the eye. I was a medic to engineers when I was in the National Guards and Engineers are over overbearing about safety. Military units comprising the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) participated in Exercis []. Larry, Thanks for doing what you are doing this. It doesnt go into as much depth as you have but it does give her closure in the series. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 3, 1940, after serving three years in the United States Army with duty in the Philippines. Lena was raised in my hometown of Portland, OR. 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. To my knowledge, Lena never had long hair and I dont think in those days it was allowed by the WMS.
Raritan to hold 35th annual John Basilone Memorial Parade I think this battlespooked him. The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. . 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. The John Basilone Memorial Parade is the only parade in the country honoring a World War II hero.
Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 - her 32nd birthday. Regards Staff Sgt RickDoc Borenstein US Army Medical Corps, Retired .
John Basilone - Military Wiki | Fandom I am finding this is a need especially this last Friday when a retired E7 took his daughters and himself in a homicide.-suicide.
How the Marines' hero of Guadalcanal died at Iwo Jima Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. Thank you for your insights. Also, just as deeply in awe of Johns heroism, his ultimate sacrifice, and Lenas continued devotion to him for over 50 years. he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. I also had the chance to tell her about Sgt. 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. she had a positive impact on my life.. Lena left a positive legendary mark upon us, Hi Sabrina!! Thats typical. I served from 73-2007 Vietnam era to Iraq. And your efforts have been repaid many times over I am sure, by those who now know more about her. If I myself was able to sacrifice myself to save even 2 people I had never met, believe me, I would do that.