RegardsDoc P.S. The war was shortend by what they did. Their sacrifice was NOT in vain. Virginia Grey - Biography - IMDb Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. 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! 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. January. I have a flag and it has the names of family and friends named on it. But she always contended it would be too much trouble. Its not a contest to receive one. 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. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. I have been trying to find you. My generation followed their example and I think its why I survived 5 conflicts with mild to moderate PTSD. I think the I dont want to be a bother remark reflected the reported poor treatment she received from Basilones family. 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 am amazed that they kept their mental sanity, but did suffer from PTSD as I do. I want to reduce veteran suicide statistic rate. 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 . Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors. Doc Lena Basilone and the Women Marines. I have found that the movie industry gets some aspects of Lenas actual life facts wrong. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. She remained active with the Women's Marine Association and died in June 1999 at 86 years of age. I served in 5 combat deployments. VERY fascinating story about both Gy Basilone and Sgt Lena. Hello All: But he was very persistent !! Basilone, John, "Manila John". - WW2 Gravestone He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these . 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. 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. Lena Basilone returns John's Medal of Honor - YouTube While the Marines landed, the Japanese concentrated their fire at the incoming Marines from heavily fortified blockhouses staged throughout the island. . I served as a medic for most of Army career of 33 1/2 yrs and would not have missed it for the world. If a couple should ever be in Heaven its them. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. I am a huge fan of hers and her husband. Died February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima, Japan Spouse Lena Mae . 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. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. 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. To Ssg Rick doc Borenstein almost every comment by you has included you and your family participation in various wars. [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 is often discussed in Marine Corps history classes but no one ever mentions that his wife was a Marine too. I am proud to call John and Lena. We both turned down comissions to be officers many times in spite of field commanders and general recommendations. The Marines sent him to Guantnamo Bay for his next assignment and then to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands as a member of "D" Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.[8]. [20], He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. Larry, Thanks for doing what you are doing this. and for the families they left behind.. broward health medical center human resources phone number; steve watson obituary poplar bluff mo From what I have learned about her from you and others Lena was a very independent woman. I suspect she feared if she was buried next to John, that might have dredged up old wounds with the family. Once in a while, I add a friends name to it. 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. Military units comprising the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) participated in Exercis []. My intrest was to watch what my two Uncles had gone through as they were in all those battles amongst all the Marines. It's simply . if anyone knows about a documentary about them please let me know? She worked for the electric company and volunteered countless hours of her time at the Womens Marine Association, the American Veterans Auxiliary, and the Long Beach Veterans Hospital. i know in the movie she went to visit his parents. She was as fun, compassionate and loving as she was tough. John Basilone is a Marine Corps legend. The Democrat did not seek re-election for . I served until 2007 and retired.I was both an aviation medic and ground medic. 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. My father and I did our jobs as we were expected to by our comrades and as we expected to. JOHN BASILONE OBITUARY. 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. I then years later caught the Gulf war, Korea, Bosnia and Iraq. I had to settle for the Army. It is the blood of John and those who served that binds the mortar of the foundation of the greatest nation ever! The bridge at Remagen , as known as the Luddendorf bridge named after the WW I general, Eric Ludenddorf, it was a railroad bridge. 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. John Basilone: The Marine Hero of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima Although he appreciated the admiration, he felt out of place and requested to return to the operating forces fighting the war. John Basilone - Home of Heroes She was a Marine, so she already earns much respect. Lena Basilone teachs me a lot even after she is gone from our presence. 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. P.S. Regards,SSg RickDoc Borenstein Ret. The service teachs you to do things bigger than yourself. She was the official sponsor of the destroyer named after him, the USS Basilone, and she participated in its christening ceremony: Sergeant Lena Mae Basilone, USMC(WR), ships sponsor, prepares to christen the destroyer, at the Consolidated Steel Company Shipyard, Orange, Texas, on 21 December 1945. I ran into Mrs. Basilone @ the VA when I need help navigating the system, She was there for me. 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. She was the wife of John Basilone, one of the famous Marines every Marine Corps recruit learns about at boot camp. We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. My uncles are marine and Navy vets as well as my two brothers who are Marines. G-d keep us always in palm of your hand and love us always. John Basilone Obituary (1956 - 2023) - Legacy Remembers Why did she not want to be buried with or near him? I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. Semper Fi. We, as a nation, have been blessed to have such people serving to defend us. He clearly foresaw his future three separate times. It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. Basilone was posthumously awarded the Marine Corps' second-highest decoration for valor, the Navy Cross, for extraordinary heroism during the battle of Iwo Jima. I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. 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. 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. As I have commented she was a LEGEND as was John. She was never accepted by Johns family, as if she had taken him away from them. 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. Highest Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein, Thank you Barbara for your kind words. And she cut it with flair! [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. I think it will improve the militarys ability to fight. Your right Marie. They had been married for 7.3 months. 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 uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines had been virtually annihilated. Regards, SSG, Rick R. Doc Borenstein. 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. "Lena was notified of Johnny's death on March 7, 1945. I guess being a diabetic with a full ankle replacement i would just be more of a problem for the military rather than a help.