On Camp Pendelton, there is an entry point to the base from Interstate 5 called "Basilone Road." And she cut it with flair! 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. They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds.
Att.net mail login | | Where commons rule Including the Medal of Honor, he has received many honors, including having base streets, military facilities, and two United States Navy destroyers named for him. I write this with tears streaming as I think about the years of fun we shared together. I have learned about what my dad and other Marines did through other Marines and Soldiers.who served with him. Quite a story. Although she was just. I am pleased know of a member of John Basilones family. Died February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima, Japan Spouse Lena Mae . she had a positive impact on my life.. Lena left a positive legendary mark upon us, Hi Sabrina!! The civilian man initially had no pulse, and bystanders told the Marine they assumed he was dead. 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 . I am a huge fan of hers and her husband. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland. I was never one to really say anything religious. I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. I especially loved the story about Manila John and Sgt Lena! Date of Death : February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima Airport / Iohjima Airport / Iohtoh Airport, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan : Place of Birth : Buffalo : Country: . There are few like them. Basilone fought. From what I have learned about her from you and others Lena was a very independent woman. I was a medic to engineers when I was in the National Guards and Engineers are over overbearing about safety. Semper Fi Marine, Well done rest in peace. . If any of you served with or knew Lena please let me know. Medal of Honor citation. John Basilone MoH. Women marines can be rifleman which it is only right and fair. [21] His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died on June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. Lena was a very strong woman. 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 top brass who gave the OK should be the ones to blame. The war was shortend by what they did. In February 1945, he was killed in action on the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, after he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse and led a Marine tank under fire safely through a minefield. I then years later caught the Gulf war, Korea, Bosnia and Iraq.
Sgt Lena Mae Riggi Basilone (1913-1999) - Find a Amen. We are seeking those who knew both John and Lena for the documentary. 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. Representing The Fewer & ProuderGenerations of Service, SSG Richard"Rick"Doc" Borenstein,Medic Retired, ssg rick "doc " borenstein ret. Their work will not be forgotten by all who were in contact with them. BASILONE, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. The Marines had a Sullivans which I fell victim too, I wanted to be a Marine. 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. Chuck Tatum who survived Iwo Jima. For his selfless dedication to his country, John was awarded the Purple Heart and Nary Cross posthumously. She made an effort to reconcile with them after the war when she visited and presented to the family Johns Medal of Honor. Marine Sergeant Lena Basilone was the wife of Medal of Honor winner John Basilone. She must have been a great marine. 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. The Basilone Family and Raritan Learns of John's Death. 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. I agree, Lena was a loyal wife to a great Marine! 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 ? Take care, SSG RickDoc Borenstein,US Army Medical Dept, (ret). 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. Just yesterday I was riding the bus in Portland, Oregon, when a woman boarded with her walker. I am not the Richard who posted this excellent comment. Semper Fi. WEnow are beginning to treat veterans with this problem.
John Basilone: The Marine Hero of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient. They both left with honorable discharges and they were both Sargents. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. I think it will improve the militarys ability to fight. Thank You Robin. It doesnt go into as much depth as you have but it does give her closure in the series. Regards, SSG, Rick R. Doc Borenstein. Hi Barbara! He did things bigger than himself and didnt want the limelight. "Sgt. She helped get us through the system and see that our needs were met at the facility. They were both technically saavy at their jobs and legendary leaders as NCOs.They are heros to me, as the members of my family who answered the call and still do to this day, my family in Israel. I have written about Her for years, and a photograph of the current Headstone can be found at. He left for Camp Pendleton, California, for training on December 27. . I had to settle for the Army. I found that the combatants descended into a savage war the like I hope we never see again. John's wife, Lena, originally from Oregon, remained in California after John's death and never remarried. Some familys recognized that the problem existed after the war and helped them. I have been trying to find you. December 26, 2022 by Robin. He was sent home to sell. I have 8 combat campaigns from Vietnam era to Iraq.It was my frame of combat reference.. Robin: Ask Barbara About what Lena said I dont want to bother anyone because she was like a daughter to Lena.
There are no words to describe this amazing lady. She died 55 years after her husband, in 1999, and was buried wearing her wedding ring. 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. I have studied the war in the Pacific. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. However, this time my sentiments were of the lives and the wonderment of them as people. 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. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. She is truely my hero as well as her husband. Although he appreciated the admiration, he felt out of place and requested to return to the operating forces fighting the war. Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors for his bravery. John was a legend as was Lena.Beleive you me Lena is at peace. "My heart is full of both sadness and joy today," Imbese said after the ceremony.
"The Pacific" Basilone (TV Episode 2010) - IMDb I want to reduce veteran suicide statistic rate. She helped a lot of vets navigate the system at LAs VA. [20], He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. 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. 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. I salute everybody and those of us who survived. According to the funeral . I guess we all have our way to remember those important to us. John Basilone killed at Iwo Jima Marc Lancaster Feb 19, 2022 1 Among the approximately 300,000 Americans killed in action in World War II, John Basilone's death on Feb. 19, 1945 holds a unique place in the history of the conflict. Her love and bond so strong that she stayed single over 50 years. Deeply moved and deeply saddened by the story of John and Lena. I served from Dec 73 to Jun 2007 in the Army and Air Force. 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. 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. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. Ric, thank you for pointing out Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. I didnt realize that! If the name does not sound familiar, you may recognize her married name: Basilone. This saved innumerable lives.John and Lena Basilones were legends.they contributed mightily to our victory inthe Pacific. She even said when you had the best,who wants the rest especially after John was killed at Iwo Jima. It should be cherished by Marines Past, Present, and Future. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. He went to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who was killed in action during World War II.