That she and Gunnery Sgt. Donald Basilone was the youngest sibling of the Basilone family, and brother of GySgt. United States Government. VERY fascinating story about both Gy Basilone and Sgt Lena. It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. To The Altamirano Family: Lena Basilone was a Marine who was in a league of her own.She along with another Medal Of Honor winners husband Terry Murphy the wife of Audie Murphy helped alot of veterans get what they needed from the Veterans Administration.To me the Basilones were both legendary heroes.My father and I were combat medics. Explore John Basilone net worth, birthday, height, age, bio, salary, 2023! Died February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima, Japan Spouse Lena Mae . or what its supposed to be. (source). 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. He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. A simple handshake and thank you was all the recognition he wanted.I also feel Lena found out John was killed on her 32nd birthday. I found your blog by chance and thoroughly enjoyed this article about Lena. Her spirit still lives on.. She married only one man my father Dr. Milton K Borenstein MD. Lena was a legend as was John.Lena helped a lot of vets at the VA navigate the system and get what they needed. She had made peace with her loss alone, without receiving any compassion from them. I had members of my family who served in the USMC and some were on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. My mother was a lot like Lena. Stella. She was buried at a VA National Cemetery in Riverside, California wearing her wedding ring, having turned down being . When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. Ive watched the HBO series several times. 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 loved the movie Pacific and i felt horrible when he died so young after they were married. Barbara Garner was a genuine daughter and family member to her. . , Lena was a hero to me and so was John. I am a child of the Vietnam era and I was shaped by those soldiers who fought in Vietnam and adapted to them. I missed the mini-series The Pacific so Im going to have to find a DVD. Barbara Garner. Basilone was born in his Italian American parents' home on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. After receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps legend GySgt John Basilone fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. The only thing I really knew about Basilone was the road that cuts through Camp Pendleton. It is something the infantry appreciates or as grunts.Barbara Garner knew her best.My father and a lot of my uncles served in the Pacific as pilots, medics ,and grunts, one was a coxswain on the LCVPs or Higgins boats.. It has a cost, a soldiers life. I did start watching The Pacific after reading a few of these comments, and I have to say that it is a very emotional rollercoaster of a miniseries. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. Year Title Role Notes 1999 On the Q.T. After completing middle school at age 15, he dropped out prior to attending high school. I was with her as she drew her last labored breath in the ER after weeks of trying to recover from the surgery. It was great. I wanted t join the USMC in 1st MARDIV but my cousin and uncle were already there and I had to settle for the Army. This has been an exclusively a mans kingdom. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time . 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. Sad they didnt have children. She died in 1999 and was buried wearing her wedding ring. (reprinted by the John Basilone Stamp Campaign), John Basilone meets the Mayor of New York, Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 22:45, List of historically notable United States Marines, List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II, "Annual John Basilone Parade stirs feelings of patriotism, Jersey pride", "Four Distinguished Marines Saluted on U.S. Postage Stamps", United States Army Center of Military History, "Resort Style Senior Living | California Lutheran Homes | Carlsbad by the Sea", "The Story of Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Part 3", "Burial Detail: Basilone, John (Section 12, Grave 384) Birth Date: 11/04/1916; Death Date: 02/19/1945; Interment Date: 04/20/1948", "Raritan Public Library "Basilone Room"Gy/Sgt John Basilone ribbons", "SCR 25 Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Freeway", "company-c-fights-up-hill-battle-basilones-challenge", "Honoring One Marine To Remember Them All: WWII Hero Gets Plaque at Navy Memorial", "Raritan to honor its fallen son with 33rd Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade", "Raritan's World War II hero John Basilone inducted into NJ Hall of Fame", "JOHN BASILONE Historical Raritan (19161945)", Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, "John Basilone's Medal of Honor Ceremony remembered by Marine Sidney Phillips", United States Marine Corps History Division Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Biography, Medal of Honor Recipients Depicted in Film, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Basilone&oldid=1140815348, An entry point onto Camp Pendleton from US, US Interstate 5 from the San Diego County line to Camp Pendleton to the south is called "Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Highway", In 1944, Army Barracks from Washington state were moved to a site in front of. May 26, 2016 4:29 PM PT. Was your father on the bridge when that occurred? Lena was definitely one of a kind. Parents Salvatore and Theadora Basilone. Wendy 2003 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Jeannie Ashcroft 2004 Pagans: Elise Ashton 2004 National Treasure: Agent Dawes John met Lena at Pendleton,it took a while because Lena was her own woman and a noncomissioned officer whe eventually attained the rank of Master Sergeant, She did not rush to John immediately as you saw in the Pacific but once she did they were head over heels for each other.John was a no nonsense Gunnery Sergeant and was very good with a machine gun and thats what got him the Congressional Medal of Honor(equivalent to a Victoria Cross). 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. We did our jobs and what were asked to do. She is in town for the Iwo Jima Reunion and Symposium and working on his documentary. Many, including Virginia herself, expected them to marry . 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. Lena was a pioneer Marine and very dedicated both to the Corps and to John. . Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing . He met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, while . I have studied the war in the Pacific. At that time women were not accepted in a mans world in the military at that time. 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. I served as a medic for most of Army career of 33 1/2 yrs and would not have missed it for the world. Lena was the same kind of a Marine too. My dad fought in the Peleliu campaign. he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. My mother married my father in 43 during the war and she constantly worried about him until he came. Lena and John fall in love and were married on July 10, 1944. The Death of "Manila John" Basilone. I know that she and her husband are together today as they have been since her death. I want to reduce veteran suicide statistic rate. The saddest days of my life were seeing Lenas normally fighting spirit wane after her surgery. Semper Fi. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. 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. There are no words to describe this amazing lady. He is one of the reasons why I joined the Marine Corp! Regardless of Service Branch, we all, will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters that only we can understand. The number 456 references one of hundreds of end notes in the back of the book. It wasnt until The Pacific miniseries came out that we realized Lena lived in Riverside and had we known we could have contacted her. 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. Thank you, to the Sergeants Basilone for their service, and may God have united you again in heaven. One of her few, if not only, public appearances after Johns death was about nine months after he died. The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. (Thats my VietNam). My generation followed their example and I think its why I survived 5 conflicts with mild to moderate PTSD. Regards Staff Sgt RickDoc Borenstein US Army Medical Corps, Retired . And I hope that in some small way I brought joy to her life, I know she enriched mine ! It is the blood of John and those who served that binds the mortar of the foundation of the greatest nation ever! 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. If so where can I find it. Lena was a very strong woman. Both Eisenhower and Patton wanted to keep on the heels of the Germans, which supposedely justified using the Remagen Bridge. A strong woman of her duty to the Marine Corps and steadfast in her love of a man and not the legend. Quite a story. On the night of October 25, 1942, the Japanese focused their attack on John Basilone's units. Not long after their wedding he shipped out to Iwo Jima and in February of 1945 he was killed in battle. At first they did not want to acknowledge Lena had the rank of Sgt. 1939. 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. Doc..thanks for the reply. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Sgt Lena sounds like a very strong and amazing woman. Memorial day is coming upon us fast and its time to remember those we lost, and those who gave back much to veterans as did Lena. I write this with tears streaming as I think about the years of fun we shared together. I worked every day of my EMS career to prevent this. His love for her was her memorial. Despite their supply lines having been cut off by enemies who had infiltrated into the rear, Basilone fought through hostile ground to resupply his heavy machine gunners with urgently needed supplies. John Basilone Quotes. 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. I just watched HBO's The Pacific episode 7, it was great, tons of action. This is how I remember those who were vets like my dad and friends including my oldest sister. #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 . During the fighting on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone's actions would result in him being awarded the Medal of Honor. Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. End note 456 reads: The USS Basilone, a Gearing -class destroyer sponsored by Basilone's wife Lena, was laid down and launched in 1945 and commissioned in 1949. She is interviewing Iwo Jima Marines and those who knew her Uncle. Lena received a telegram and went back to the beach, mourning him. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. I wish i could have known her. I guess she told her friend Barbara that she didnt want to bother anyone which is silly. "Lena was notified of Johnny's death on March 7, 1945. John Basilone MoH. On Camp Pendelton, there is an entry point to the base from Interstate 5 called "Basilone Road." 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. My biggest campaigns was Korea in the 70s, Desert Storm,(2 tours) Bosnia, and Iraq. To me John was a legend whose legacy will not be matched for a long time. They are Medal of Honor RECIPIENTS. The Democrat did not seek re-election for . She was definitely not impressed with his celebrity status. i am a proud American. She got so excited around Christmas when it was time to get gifts together to take to the wounded war heroes!! Thank God she had someone. However, this time my sentiments were of the lives and the wonderment of them as people. I served for 34 years nearly and the others did service from 4-30 years.I definitely appreciate what family did in Vietnam. God love the brothers from Nam and I never stop thinking about you guys. I wish i was around then. . Through smoke and screaming and the crush of mortar fire, John Basilone never faltered. Lena never forgot us and took care of us. She had much empathy for every veteran. the Germans set the charges of explosives off but they failed. Basilone received numerous honors, including the following: John Basilone receiving the Medal of Honor in 1943. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. Only 34 Japanese survived it. She was laid to rest in the National Cemetery at Riverside, California. Please feel free to email me at the address below or [email protected], I just want to say what a beautiful story of your meeting and becoming her friend. I had it easy in comparison. I am so proud to be from a military family. 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 . His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. I have never regret a moment of my 34 yrs of service. Sgt. Lena Basilone was a very independent and rugged individual, who epitomized what the USMC is all about. "If the Japanese force got through Basilone . She was as fun, compassionate and loving as she was tough. WowI just started reading Im Staying With My Boys, the book about her husband. Doc Why was no other keel ever laid down in his honor? Thank You Robin. Also, just as deeply in awe of Johns heroism, his ultimate sacrifice, and Lenas continued devotion to him for over 50 years. He was deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, and in August 1942, he took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. He clearly foresaw his future three separate times. [2] He was the sixth of ten children. Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors. Regards, SSG, Rick R. Doc Borenstein. I am a huge fan of him and his wife. Women make the Marines the effective force they are today.Without Lena, this would not have occurred as easily. It was so my privilege to know Lena as my dear friend! He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. Ric, thank you for pointing out Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. I didnt realize that! A piece of their son to cling to , to assuage their pain . Basilone's parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. I found Lena in both the 1930 and 1940 censusand was very surprised and excited to learn that not only was she an Oregonian, shes was basically for me a local girl! She was raised and lived and worked in places less than an hours drive from where I live now! They served with me steadfastly for almost 34 years ,over 1/2 my lifetime. My daddy was killed in Germany at the battle at the Remagen Bridge in 1945. Thank you? 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. 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. This is where the television show concludes and unfortunately for curious viewers, the show apparently did not include any follow-up information about John Basilones widow. We do a ceremony every wednesday for Vets without Families WE look straight out on her grave Rest in Peace Lena Basilone. Regards, They were good examples which I followed. The John Basilone Memorial Parade is the only parade in the country honoring a World War II hero. It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. P.S. The were either Green Berets or medics, a supply clerk and even grunts. Thats typical. Robin: Ask Barbara About what Lena said I dont want to bother anyone because she was like a daughter to Lena. 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 ? They had been married for 7.3 months. My father was a medic and water purification specialist. Required fields are marked *. He was 78. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. I also had the chance to tell her about Sgt. GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the next few days. It has the picture of him like the statue they made of him in his hometown. I think women can be and in many cases are better tank and infantry officers, as I have had aunts and grandmothers who were commanders in Israels Palmach.and later the Army.we now will have women NCOs too in positions of leadership they have rightly deserved. I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. Hair nets are an essential thing for mess hall personnel as I have been a Mess hall inspector as part of medic duties. Though the battle was fierce and the Marines' defensive positions were being barraged, Sgt. G-d keep us always in palm of your hand and love us always. Her group of women were heavily complimented and recognized by the marines they served for good chow. We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. Here is all of the publicly released testimony by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in one place. I tried your church and they had nothing and various places and people in Ca,You were so important to Aunt Lena. She had her memories of John Basilone. Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. the bridge stood for 10 days and collapsed? [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. Having Served 21 years of Active Duty from 1970 to 1992. Its a warm joy to read the postings here. I am proud to speak to a member of John and Lenas family, Hi Vera, are you a relative of SGT Basilone? [5] In the Army, Basilone was initially assigned to the 16th Infantry at Fort Jay, New York, before being discharged for a day, reenlisting, and being assigned to the 31st Infantry.[6][7]. To apply for a WMA Emergency Grant, you must complete the online application form and provide documentation of your financial emergency. John Basilone's passing at the age of 66 on Sunday, February 5, 2023 has been publicly announced by Bradley and Stow Funeral Home in Medford, NJ. May g-d in wisdom help us fix the VA after the recent round of events. 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. Basilone: Directed by David Nutter. 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. 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. I felt both sides descended in to a hell that was what unimaginable to the human mind. I agree with you, for theres more to the story then meets the eye. Virginia Grey dated John Basilone in the past, but they have since broken up. Thank You Robin, Hi Robin and Barbara:I was recently out to my old home at Anaheim. i am very proud of both my brothers as they got many commendations from their service. Jesse:Do not ever feel disappointed that you could not serve.We volunteered as did the Basilones. Although he appreciated the admiration, he felt out of place and requested to return to the operating forces fighting the war. I claim nothing in this video. They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. 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. Johnny was definitely the love of her life! 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. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines had been virtually annihilated. 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. What I have learned about John Basilone has been influential on how I did my job as an NCO. Semper Fi Marine, Well done rest in peace. Some were there when I wanted to to be a Marines,and the rules said I could not be one. There are few like them. He went to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River. But she always contended it would be too much trouble. December 26, 2022 by Robin. Thank you for your service as well as everyone who serves. You were lucky to get to know her, even a little! I thank you for you service and recognize what you did for us soldiers Respectfully,SSG.RichardDocBorenstein(Retired) Combat Medic, Welcome David: My name is SSG RickDoc Borenstein I served in the US Army from 1973-2007 and retired. May God Bless John and Lena Basilone. We, as a nation, have been blessed to have such people serving to defend us. As far as a documentary for Lena and John Basilone ,the Pacific is the only one I know of. Death and burial ground of Basilone, John, "Manila John". She was never accepted by Johns family, as if she had taken him away from them. 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 . John's wife, Lena, originally from Oregon, remained in California after John's death and never remarried. I caught the tail end of it when we had to get our ADA missiles out of there. She gave to his family to not be selfish and share. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! Consistently daring and aggressive as he fought his way over the battle-torn beach and up the sloping, gun-studded terraces toward Airfield Number 1, he repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of exploding shells and later in the day coolly proceeded to the aid of a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages, skillfully guiding the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite the overwhelming volume of hostile fire. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. My dad was a medic on Peleliu. I served in 5 combat deployments. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of John R Basilone to pay them a last tribute. John Basilone's Grave. My father was a medic,like me. He also was at Peleliu with the the 321st or 81st divisions he never said much about it. Giving Johns Medal of Honor to his Mom and Dad was a selfless and gracious gift . To my knowledge, Lena never had long hair and I dont think in those days it was allowed by the WMS. However, in John's case, something got mixed up. Lena never remarried. Basilone's Navy Cross citation reads as follows: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to. Women recently won an important victory, they now can be combat arms officers. I knew of only one other like her,Terry Murphy Audie Murphys wife.,he died in 1971. "It brings back so many memories.". All that being said THANK YOU for your service and I am truly happy and grateful that you returned home, MAY GOD BLESS YOU and your family. HBO did a wonderful job and I wish to see more great documentarylike shows that can bring history to life. 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. He then repaired and manned another machine gun, holding the defensive line until relief arrived. 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. Lena was a person who lived life with a low profile and she was laid to rest in Riverside countys VA cemetery. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while.
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