john basilone wife death

GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the next few days. "That was our first real look, up close, at the war."-John Basilone. . 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. "It brings back so many memories.". John stood up to run. They were married at St. Mary's Star of the Sea . John Basilone whom she was aware of. Lena Basilone returns her late husband's Medal of Honor to his family.From HBO's "The Pacific", episode 10 of 10. Maybe a bio or maybe a fictionalized with fact sort of book ala Alex Haileys Rootsbut we shall see what we shall see. The story is woven with surprising personal details. His five older siblings were born in Raritan, New Jersey, before the family moved to Buffalo where John was born; they returned to Raritan in 1918. My family is most Army AF Navy and yes Marines. I'm Staying With My Boys: The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone He was shot down over the Isle de Olerun in southern france,on thwway to plaster German airfields 3 months before Normandy, he fell on 3-27-44. They definitely did not wear cute little feminine skirted waitress type uniforms. but those were the times and conditions because I think Americans wanted a quicker end to WWII. Once again, Basilone would be leading Marines in combat with the Japanese as a machine gun section leader. I tried your church and they had nothing and various places and people in Ca,You were so important to Aunt Lena. Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors. Sergeant John Basilone's legacy is one of the most expansive and visible in Marine Corps history. My uncles in WW II served both in Europe and the Pacific. May 26, 2016 4:29 PM PT. It is the blood of John and those who served that binds the mortar of the foundation of the greatest nation ever! She did many things that were bigger than herself.including returning Johns medal of honor to his family, well as his insurance.Lena was in charge of her life as well as her marines she served with.To me and other she is a legend in a league of her own and many women Marines I have know are the same way.Lena was definetly her own person, if that helps you understand her. So Ive been doing some research of my own. Her life and her love is a chapter sadly left untold. It was her (32nd) birthday," said Barbara. This is an extraordinary piece of History. Lena served an important role though,giving the soldier good chow was a morale booster. 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 have never regret a moment of my 34 yrs of service. to me it was a tough and frustrating war in many ways. Who was John Basilone? - Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute Both her and her husband had each other and that was enough. Hello All: Thanks for taking care of Lena, Stella: My dad was a veteran of the Pacific. 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 . Thank You Robin, Hi Robin and Barbara:I was recently out to my old home at Anaheim. Lena was also very prominent in veterans affairs. She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle. John Basilone - America's Hero - Marines WWII His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. You may see an updated blog entry from me here in the coming day sharing what Ive discovered , Thank You Sabrina: I am glad to learn about these facts. 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. How Cpl John Mackie became the first Marine to earn the Medal of Honor. Lena earned the right to be buried next to John. My dad served in the Pacific with the US Army who was in the Marshall Island, Marianas,and Peleliu. Medal of Honor citation. Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. We both turned down comissions to be officers many times in spite of field commanders and general recommendations. Hi, your very lucky to have known Lena Basilone. 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. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. She was a Marine, so she already earns much respect. But she always contended it would be too much trouble. Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors for his bravery. "My heart is full of both sadness and joy today," Imbese said after the ceremony. Lena never remarried and she lived in California until her death in 1999. They had been married for 7.3 months. 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. I guess we all have our way to remember those important to us. She is interviewing Iwo Jima Marines and those who knew her Uncle. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 -- her 32nd birthday. John Basilone: The Marine Hero of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima Pacific Wrecks - The Pacific Episode 8 - Historical Commentary on The My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. 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. 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. But the cynicism did not last, and Lena and John married in the summer of 1944: My dad fought in the Peleliu campaign. He then fought his way toward Airfield Number 1 and aided a Marine tank that was trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages. 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. Donald Basilone was the youngest sibling of the Basilone family, and brother of GySgt. , Brad Garrett Wife Height, Is A Mobile Home Considered Real Property In Florida, Animated Music Videos . On February 19, 1945, the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, he was serving as a machine gun section leader on Red Beach II. Lena was a person who lived life with a low profile and she was laid to rest in Riverside countys VA cemetery. I just saw this site today for the first time. strips, they finally agreed to put Sgt.on her grave marker. [14] They were married at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside, California, on July 10, 1944, with a reception at the Carlsbad Hotel. I see us tangling with Muslim fundamentalists with our full military weight and soldiers like John and Lean were will help us win it. Semper FI, Both tremendous Marines who loved each other and their country. I am proud to be a citizen from the same country, USA, as these two remarkable people and salute their service and sacrifices. To me as I have said before was a legend of her own in the Marine Corps. He was deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, and in August 1942, he took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time . We talked about her experiences. Virginia Grey - Biography - IMDb However, I was impressed by the story of Lena and John Basilone. [12] After the parade, Basilone toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. 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. Thanks for posting her story. As a veteran, I have profound respect for her service to this country. Lena lost her husband within A few short months after their wedding . She always appeared and acted much younger than her actual age. By Jeff McDonald. She was as fun, compassionate and loving as she was tough. Thank you both for your service and sacrifice. Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. And she cut it with flair! 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. If Gy Basilone, one of the greatest Marines who ever lived, had respect for a Woman Marine enough to marry one, then they need to show respect, too! The Democrat did not seek re-election for . Some familys recognized that the problem existed after the war and helped them. I want to reduce veteran suicide statistic rate. [9][10] As the battle went on, ammunition became critically low. 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. I do not think man will ever exorcise the demons of war.I dont feel that the future holds a lot encouraging movement for ridding us of war. We spent many, many hours together and even though her Johnny had been killed many years before she had a way of talking about him that made me feel I knew him personally. I read the book Im staying with my boys. the bridge stood for 10 days and collapsed? Legacy. I learned from others like uncles, friends and comrades. I deserved it. Marine hero honored again with ship name - San Diego Union-Tribune The USS Basilone, was decommissioned in 1977. 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.