My dad fought in the Peleliu campaign. i am very proud of both my brothers as they got many commendations from their service. Within hours of landing on Iwo Jima, where he forcibly got his men up and off the beach, Basilone was killed by an enemy mortar round at age 27. The gave us a lot and we appreciated their help in return as they helped us vets adjust. 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. Ive met only recently the story of John Basilone and now, thanks to your words, even a little of the life of Lena. How Cpl John Mackie became the first Marine to earn the Medal of Honor. After his request to return to the fleet was approved, Basilone was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. But the cynicism did not last, and Lena and John married in the summer of 1944: I have studied the war in the Pacific. She had a very strong love for Gy.Sgt John Basilone even though their marriage was short,it was a very strong one. Words fail me when I try to convey my sense of admiration and appreciation for people like the Basilones. My name is Ali Bardeguez, and I was wondering if maybe you had some insight to her upbringing? John taught me to lead my medics well and to take care of them as he did his Marines. My I lost an uncle who flew a B24. 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. My dad was in the Pacific on Guam, the Marshalls and Peleliu. Why did she not want to be buried with or near him? The . He was one of only three Marines in that group to survive. Both her and her husband had each other and that was enough. They are soldiers with a purpose, soldiers who are tough, and agree with marine message that they are the best, the toughest, and will take on and complete any mission handed them. But his place was with "my boys", so he ignored the vision and returned to battle . . I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. 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. David Rodgers: I found MSG Riggi was a marine of her own and even so at Long Beach VA. She said being married to John Basilone was the best thing in her life. My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. At least 38 dead Japanese were credited to Sergeant Basilone -- many were killed with his Colt .45 at almost arms length. but those were the times and conditions because I think Americans wanted a quicker end to WWII. The Japanese charged the hill relentlessly, with dead Japanese soldiers serving as human bridges so that their remaining comrades could cross over the barbed wire fences near the American perimeter. I served from Dec 73 to Jun 2007 in the Army and Air Force. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. My father served in the Pacific and took part in the Central Pacific and Palau campaign(Peleliu). I caught the tail end of it when we had to get our ADA missiles out of there. I was there when at over 80 years of age the doctor decided to do heart bypass surgery. If any of you served with or knew Lena please let me know. HBO did a wonderful job and I wish to see more great documentarylike shows that can bring history to life. She helped a lot of vets navigate the system at LAs VA. 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. Lena never forgot us and took care of us. They definitely did not wear cute little feminine skirted waitress type uniforms. I am glad that someone stepped in to be family for her. The Basilones are a happy loving couple for the eternity. I warmly greet. Although he appreciated the admiration, he felt out of place and requested to return to the operating forces fighting the war. 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. Wow! To apply for a WMA Emergency Grant, you must complete the online application form and provide documentation of your financial emergency. I served as a medic for most of Army career of 33 1/2 yrs and would not have missed it for the world. This saved innumerable lives.John and Lena Basilones were legends.they contributed mightily to our victory inthe Pacific. The service teachs you to do things bigger than yourself. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. Her life and her love is a chapter sadly left untold. If you call any of them a winner you are disgracing the recipients and those who died earning it. , Lena was a hero to me and so was John. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines had been virtually annihilated. Although she was just. The date was February 19, 1945. Again, Lena Basilone was in a league of her own and very much ahead of her time. She got so excited around Christmas when it was time to get gifts together to take to the wounded war heroes!! She must have been a great marine. Lena as a dear and precious friend of mine. It doesnt go into as much depth as you have but it does give her closure in the series. He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. She did have beautiful soft natural slightly curly hair, and she kept it short.. She loved him very much. The video explains why the rifle is such an efficient, and ultimately dangerous, weapon. She helped veterans thru the hospital maze at LA VA.Both Audie Murphy and John Basilone were soldiers who we will never see their likes again.Toghetje both these women gave immeasurable service to veterans and made sure we got what we needed.Lena served her Marine corps with distiinction and a pride which established the standard of what Marines needed to aspire to be. 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. Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II. 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. The Headstone indicated in the photograph, is not The Headstone at Her Grave. Stella. Others fought at Peleliu and Okinawa.These soldiers endured a war likes of which I hope is not repeated, but I am pessimistic with this assessment in todays world right now..HBO actually brought this very unpublicized area of WW II alive. Lena never remarried. We both turned down comissions to be officers many times in spite of field commanders and general recommendations. I know your comment is from many years ago, but I do hope this finds you well! 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. Let us remember who they were and the ultimate sacrifice made for us all. I am proud to call John and Lena. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. 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. 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. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. I appreciate Barbara Garners knowledge of Lena because I think she is a daughter to Lena. Hello All: And finally, while home on leave, Basilone predicts his own death on Iwo Jima. Women make the Marines the effective force they are today.Without Lena, this would not have occurred as easily. 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. My generation followed their example and I think its why I survived 5 conflicts with mild to moderate PTSD. [4], Basilone enlisted in the United States Army in July 1934[4] and completed his three-year enlistment with service in the Philippines, where he was a champion boxer. Its a warm joy to read the postings here. To me as I have said before was a legend of her own in the Marine Corps. 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. After receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps legend GySgt John Basilone fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. A very young, excited female Marine escorted her to the front of the room to cut the ceremonial cake! I guess she told her friend Barbara that she didnt want to bother anyone which is silly. I wonder why she only appeared in public the one time on his behalf Did she ever say more about her husband or her marriage? My mother married my father in 43 during the war and she constantly worried about him until he came. John Basilone Quotes. The U.S. Navy named a destroyer after him in 1945, which Lena Mae christened. My uncle Murray a medic did duty with the USMC and Army on Okinawa, My other uncle Dwight did a week on Iwo Jima before he was wounded twice and got oft the Island. Irene Talbot The Naked Kiss (29-Oct-1964) Black Zoo (15-May-1963) Just 26 years old, Manila John Basilone had entered the ranks of the Marine Corps pantheon of heroes -- and shortly America would take the big, handsome Marine with jug ears and a smile like a neon sign to their hearts. When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. I have had female cousins who were excellent NCOs and officers.in the Israeli army.If it was not for Marines like Lena Basilone and John Basilone the marines would not be the organization they are today. During Virginia's participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, . #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 . She is truely my hero as well as her husband. or what its supposed to be. 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. God bless Sgt. My father was in the Pacific with the 32nd and 81st. I served 33 1/2 years from the Vietnam Era to Iraq.. Lena saw to it that I got the care I needed that day and helped me work through the system there. My hero as well as her husband. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. Fortunately, I have known a lot of Lenas who I served with. I knew of only one other like her,Terry Murphy Audie Murphys wife.,he died in 1971. Naval Service.[11]. A recent visit to the battle sites and the cemeteries in Europe was a moving experience and a grim reminder of sacrifices made for the freedom we enjoy! The Lena I knew would rather be buried where she was because she didnt seek the limelight and wanted to live a quiet life. I lost some high school buddies that went to Nam as well some in later conflicts. I think this battlespooked him. She one of a kind,who we may never see the likes of again. offspring chris havel wife; airigh 'n eilean; ontario bar exam results 2020. project zomboid ham radio frequencies; gunton hall rooms; kauai hotels kama'aina rate 2021; mary katherine backstrom net worth 2020; blackstone managing director salary. When the heavy .30 . The hospital environment would have been a nightmare without her.Lena saidonce you had the best.there was no need to be involved with the rest, as she was totally faithful to John for a life time, although her time with him was brief. I tried my hardest through the years to get Lena to consent to be buried in Arlington Natioal Cemetary with her Johnny. I was a busy medic and many days circumstances precluded writing.We do overlook the homefront but we have better communication, specifically emails now.and Skype.Lena and John would like these changes.I served as a medic to many of the combat arms so I hope my insights help. He went to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River. The story is woven with surprising personal details. And I hope that in some small way I brought joy to her life, I know she enriched mine ! broward health medical center human resources phone number; steve watson obituary poplar bluff mo Basilone's parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. There will not be another one like her and Terri Murphy Audie Murphys wife. Death At Iwo Jima 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. Lena Basilone and the Women Marines. In February of 1945, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was back in the Pacific with the 5 th Marine Division, part of the invasion force for the invasion of Iwo Jima, known by the military code name Operation Detachment . "They weren't even men anymore. Thank You very much for being Lenas family. My uncles in WW II served both in Europe and the Pacific. Giving Johns Medal of Honor to his Mom and Dad was a selfless and gracious gift . I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave.
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