Lena Basilone returns her late husband's Medal of Honor to his family.From HBO's "The Pacific", episode 10 of 10. She died in 1999 and was buried wearing her wedding ring. She was never accepted by Johns family, as if she had taken him away from them. I can also say to you that those who do - seem to need some sort of verification for their time in country. Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's buddies on Guadalcanal called him "Manila John" because he had served with the Army in the Philippines before enlisting in the Marine Corps. Hi Vera: I am pleased to read your post. The legs were long, so they were rolled up.the waist was generally too big, so the y cinched up a belt around their waist. she had a positive impact on my life.. Lena left a positive legendary mark upon us, Hi Sabrina!! 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. One of her few, if not only, public appearances after Johns death was about nine months after he died. I especially loved the story about Manila John and Sgt Lena! 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. Virginia Grey (March 22, 1917 - July 31, 2004) was an American actress who appeared in over 100 films and a number of radio and television shows from the 1930s to the early 1980s. SSG.RickDoc: I completed 33 yrs of service to the US Army.My uncles and cousins have been Marines. During the fighting on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone's actions would result in him being awarded the Medal of Honor. The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. VERY fascinating story about both Gy Basilone and Sgt Lena. GOD bless you, and thank you for evidently just being you. Here is all of the publicly released testimony by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in one place. Military units comprising the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) participated in Exercise [], FORT HOOD, Texas (Dec.11, 2022) Members of the search fire and rescue team, assigned to the Marine Corps Chemical, Biological Incident Response Force, drill through concrete while conducting a rescue during Exercise Sudden Response 23 at Fort Hood, Texas Dec. 11, 2022. Its not a contest to receive one. 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. My father served in the Pacific and took part in the Central Pacific and Palau campaign(Peleliu). Anyway it looks like John and Lena Basilone meet and fall in love during episode 8. [21] His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died on June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. G-d keep us always in palm of your hand and love us always. She was definitely an in charge Sergeant,but was well respected because she too could lead. Thanks for the kind words. He was one of a family of ten children. I am very moved and I thank all the American soldiers who fought the cruel war in the Pacific and here in our Europe. 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. Thank you!!! I missed the mini-series The Pacific so Im going to have to find a DVD. I served 33 1/2 years from the Vietnam Era to Iraq.. I found that the combatants descended into a savage war the like I hope we never see again. He then repaired and manned another machine gun, holding the defensive line until relief arrived. Regards,Doc, Robin: I second a lot of Pauls comments. Please call me and send your number. But he was very persistent !! Megan, I met Lena long after she served in the USMC. Lena and John fall in love and were married on July 10, 1944. Lena Basilone, wife of Sgt. He did things bigger than himself and didnt want the limelight. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. News of John's death, which had occurred on February 19th, 1945, did not reach home until March 8th, 1945, a Thursday. 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. The tickets are free but . [13], While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Basilone met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 -- her 32nd birthday. Att.net mail login | | Where commons rule I served for 34 years nearly and the others did service from 4-30 years.I definitely appreciate what family did in Vietnam. I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. Doc..thanks for the reply. She died 55 years after her husband, in 1999, and was buried wearing her wedding ring. Outmanned and with supplies low, Basilone and other marines on Guadacanal rally to repel superior Japanese forces. The top brass who gave the OK should be the ones to blame. Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of John and Lena Basilone Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of John and Lena Basilone Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. 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. Hope you were able to get the Pacific series. 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. If you call any of them a winner you are disgracing the recipients and those who died earning it. Just yesterday I was riding the bus in Portland, Oregon, when a woman boarded with her walker. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. I kind of figured Lenas headsone would not be in the location it was supposed to be. He left for Camp Pendleton, California, for training on December 27. Widowed Unfortunately, Basilone was killed in action on Iwo Jima. I have learned about what my dad and other Marines did through other Marines and Soldiers.who served with him. Thank you, to the Sergeants Basilone for their service, and may God have united you again in heaven. The story of "Manila John" is part of every Marine's boot camp education. I have to just say Thank you to everyone who is in any branch of the military who reads this. She helped a lot of vets navigate the system at LAs VA. Thanks for taking care of Lena, Stella: My dad was a veteran of the Pacific. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. In 1943, Basilone returned to the United States and participated in war bond tours. She was also constantly on top of mess hall sanitation too, which hers was the best on Pendleton. She is interviewing Iwo Jima Marines and those who knew her Uncle. 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. Virginia Grey and John Basilone | Married Divorced Children Ex You were lucky to get to know her, even a little! The Marines were vastly outnumbered and under-gunned and had the dubious task of defending the most important airfield in the South Pacific. People can see the war in the Pacific through the eyes of the Marines clearly.This is something cant be avoided or entered into withtout thought as to what can happen Respectfully.SSG RickDocBorenstein(Retired) combat Medic. As a combat veteran myself it was extremely realistic and told what it was like. God love the brothers from Nam and I never stop thinking about you guys. The Pacific: How Much Of John Basilone's Story Really Happened But she always contended it would be too much trouble. He was 78. She married only one man my father Dr. Milton K Borenstein MD. Regards, Military units comprising the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) participated in Exercis []. During Virginia's participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, . I too am writing about her for a project in the Marines. John Basilone Quotes | KnowQuotes.com Though the battle was fierce and the Marines' defensive positions were being barraged, Sgt. 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. Amen. Lena served an important role though,giving the soldier good chow was a morale booster. My uncles in WW II served both in Europe and the Pacific. He met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, while . I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. Barbara; Thank you for this insight in to Lena Basilone. A colossal critical and commercial failure, it essentially marked the end of Hunter's career as a major Hollywood player. Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of Marines John and Lena Please feel free to email me at Alison.bardeguez@usmc.mil. Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. I claim nothing in this video. 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. John Basilone - Military Wiki | Fandom Words fail me when I try to convey my sense of admiration and appreciation for people like the Basilones. For the next seven months, they made the best of their time together before Basilone left for Iwo Jima with his regiment. John stood up to run. I think it will improve the militarys ability to fight. My daddy was killed in Germany at the battle at the Remagen Bridge in 1945. Basilone met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. He was the only Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II. She had a U.S. Marine Corps sign on the walker, so I asked her if she was a Marine. She was such a compassionate, no nonsense, spirited lady. 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. Lena received a telegram and went back to the beach, mourning him. 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. It may seem an unusual choice for many women, but based on what Im learning about Lenas life so farit was a perfectly natural choice for her! Was your father on the bridge when that occurred? Regards, SSG, Rick R. Doc Borenstein. The service teachs you to do things bigger than yourself. The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. On the night of October 25, 1942, the Japanese focused their attack on John Basilone's units. My generation followed their example and I think its why I survived 5 conflicts with mild to moderate PTSD. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 - her 32nd birthday. Raritan to hold 35th annual John Basilone Memorial Parade I am a huge fan of hers and her husband. 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. The USS Basilone, was decommissioned in 1977. While you and your familys service is gratefuly appreciated, as a vietnam vet I have never talked or disscused voluntarily my service time as much as you seem to be inclined to do. I know that she and her husband are together today as they have been since her death. 2023.03.03 20:19 bolavitaslots BolavitaSlot Daftar Situs Slots Deposit Bank Lampung No.1 Indonesia May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. John Basilone. Fortunately, I have known a lot of Lenas who I served with. 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. I finally got to see the Pacificand I was just blown away! 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. They got the part absolutely right about Lena totally ignoring Johnny when they first met. I am glad that someone stepped in to be family for her. In 21 Dec 1945 Lena christened a Navy destroyer ship named the USS Basilone in her husband's honor. Sergeant John Basilone - MarineParents.com Its a warm joy to read the postings here. Ive watched the HBO series several times. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! During her participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, US Marine Medal of Honor recipient, who was later killed on Iwo Jima. The young people in our church adored her even though she was tough with them. My uncle, A surgeon eventually took care off me and it worked good. She was a patriotic American to the core!! Thats typical. Donald F. Basilone (1929-2022) - monumento Find a Grave They were dumb animals who wanted . The U.S. Navy named a destroyer after him in 1945, which Lena Mae christened. A scrapbook compiled by the family of US Marine Sgt. She had much empathy for every veteran. I saw how ugly war gets, but I was a medic who had to be there to minimize the suffering of both sides. John Basilone Biography - USS Basilone DDE/DD 824 Chuck Tatum who survived Iwo Jima. However, she decided to go and pray at church instead, since America had made the decision to enter the war the day before due to the devastating, ruthless Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and news of Japan's recent takeover of Shanghai, China . The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. They were good examples which I followed. We also appreciated the material contributions you made to the war effort.As medics, my father and I kept many people alive when injured but we also kept them up mentally and maintained their health. The Marines had a Sullivans which I fell victim too, I wanted to be a Marine. As a veteran, I have profound respect for her service to this country. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. My intrest was to watch what my two Uncles had gone through as they were in all those battles amongst all the Marines. He was one of only three Marines in that group to survive. 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. 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. 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. I appreciate Barbara Garners knowledge of Lena because I think she is a daughter to Lena. It was my joy and privilege to be able to stay with her often in her home, to drive her for outings, groceries, shopping, doctor appointments or out to lunch or supper. Instead, Iwo Jima turned out to be a life raft. MY dad was attached to Geigers Marines with the US Army because he did water purification,ran a medical lab in addition to his ground duties. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor 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 Iwo Jima. I pray for all of them. Gotta gp get em.,during a hail of gunfire.Later in other conflicts it was knowledge I definitely needed and used, as it save my life. John Basilone's relationship with Lena Mae Basilone ended when John Basilone died on February 19, 1945. My mother was a lot like Lena. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. On October 24, 1942, John Basilone was supporting the war effort in the Lunga Area. I salute her, Ms. Garner: I saw the PACIFIC documentary. Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone - Women Marines Association John Basilone - Arlington National Cemetery They both left with honorable discharges and they were both Sargents. You truley were a good friend to her. While the Marines landed, the Japanese concentrated their fire at the incoming Marines from heavily fortified blockhouses staged throughout the island. Her group of women were heavily complimented and recognized by the marines they served for good chow. Semper Fi Marine, Well done rest in peace. P.S. If a couple should ever be in Heaven its them. Keep up the good work Women Marines Association! This is probably why it occurred. Sad they didnt have children. 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. Neither did they want to include she was the wife of Gunnery Sgt. 22 daily Regards, Doc Thats why I talk about so others are not misinformed by the media, or teachers, Paul. 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. We spoke once, I am Lena Riggi BAsilones niece, Lost your number in Computer world of storms. Was never properly entered into her service records. Celebrity Birthdays; Celebrity Deaths; . Highest Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein, Thank you Barbara for your kind words. I loved the movie Pacific and i felt horrible when he died so young after they were married. They definitely did not wear cute little feminine skirted waitress type uniforms. Peter J. Basilone, register of wills for Baltimore County and a former state legislator, died Thursday of liver cancer at his Towson residence. I guess she told her friend Barbara that she didnt want to bother anyone which is silly. I know your comment is from many years ago, but I do hope this finds you well! They were only married 7 months when John fell in battle within 2-4 hours of hitting the beach. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. I am pleased know of a member of John Basilones family. His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died 11-06-1999, aged 86, in Lakewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. 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. However, this time my sentiments were of the lives and the wonderment of them as people. 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. Basilone's parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. Who was John Basilone? - Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute Remembering John Basilone, Medal of Honor, USMC Guadalcanal Only 34 Japanese survived it. did john basilone sleep with virginia grey - stmatthewsbc.org As far as a documentary for Lena and John Basilone ,the Pacific is the only one I know of. I believe they had no further contact with her. It has the picture of him like the statue they made of him in his hometown. I am eternal grateful for that help. How Cpl John Mackie became the first Marine to earn the Medal of Honor. Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors. BASILONE'S sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on.

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