She is truely my hero as well as her husband. Basilone died before he and his new wife had time to have children. If I myself was able to sacrifice myself to save even 2 people I had never met, believe me, I would do that. She had her memories of John Basilone. I learned from others like uncles, friends and comrades. John Basilone MoH. I hope that eventually she will be interned with her husband. My intrest was to watch what my two Uncles had gone through as they were in all those battles amongst all the Marines. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Ms Barbara Garner: I am a retired Army medic. They got the part absolutely right about Lena totally ignoring Johnny when they first met. End note 456 reads: Regardless of Service Branch, we all, will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters that only we can understand. 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]. I served as a medic for most of Army career of 33 1/2 yrs and would not have missed it for the world. In our Baptist church whenever we sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic she would stand up and get everyone marching behind her all around the auditorium!!! Ric, thank you for pointing out Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. I didnt realize that! She helped many veterans at the VA Medical center where she lived. Jesse:Do not ever feel disappointed that you could not serve.We volunteered as did the Basilones. Required fields are marked *. Their work will not be forgotten by all who were in contact with them. I wish she could see, hear and read the admiration so many have for her. Lena never remarried. That was their mistake. Doc John Basilone. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. 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. Although the Veterans Administration offered to bury Lena in Arlington Cemetery near her husband, she refused the offer saying she didnt want to cause trouble for anyone. The USS Basilone, was decommissioned in 1977. I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. My Uncle Dick fought and flag razed on Mount Suribaci. I have been trying to find you. By Jeff McDonald. He was deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, and in August 1942, he took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. P.S. 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. Women make the Marines the effective force they are today.Without Lena, this would not have occurred as easily. John Basilone was born to be a United States Marine. 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. Womens symposium focuses on family unit, Sgt Lena Basilone Part Three The semi-normal, day-to-day life of a female Marine, John Basilone: Returning to the Fight After Earning Medal of Honor, Read the Signs along the Road :: Stolinsky.com | Conservative political and social commentary, Sunday Salute: Sergeant Lena Riggi Basilone Deb Sinness, Author, Follow Women Marines Association on WordPress.com, Little Marine's Journal: Why I Joined the Marine Corps, Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 1 of 6], Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 2 of 6], Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 3 of 6], Exercise Sudden Response 23 [Image 4 of 6], Marine 1st sergeant uses combat experience to save man hit by car, 3D animation shows the inner-workings of an AR-15, Everything we know Gen. Milley has told the Jan. 6 panel, As Ukraine highlights value of killer drones, Marine Corps wants more. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. Medal of Honor citation. War was fought with the idea that you do what you must do to win. My dad fought in the Peleliu campaign. Came here because I just saw the 8th Episode of The Pacific. God bless Sgt. and for the families they left behind.. To apply for a WMA Emergency Grant, you must complete the online application form and provide documentation of your financial emergency. she had a positive impact on my life.. Lena left a positive legendary mark upon us, Hi Sabrina!! In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. 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. Aside from numerous decorations, Basilone received other honors for his bravery. She was as fun, compassionate and loving as she was tough. I worked every day of my EMS career to prevent this. 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. Madly in love by all accounts from their time at Camp Pendleton, Lena and John would enjoy just seven months as husband and wife before John's fateful landing on Red Beach II of Iwo Jima in February 1945. As a combat veteran myself it was extremely realistic and told what it was like. News of John's death, which had occurred on February 19th, 1945, did not reach home until March 8th, 1945, a Thursday. United States Government. I am a child of the Vietnam era and I was shaped by those soldiers who fought in Vietnam and adapted to them. I found that the combatants descended into a savage war the like I hope we never see again. My family is most Army AF Navy and yes Marines. She helped a lot of soldiers out throughout her long life of service.I thing she wanted to remain in the background. John Basilone's Grave. He is often discussed in Marine Corps history classes but no one ever mentions that his wife was a Marine too. I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. I served in 5 combat deployments. I found your blog by chance and thoroughly enjoyed this article about Lena. 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! We are seeking those who knew both John and Lena for the documentary. Regards,SSg RickDoc Borenstein Ret. I know one person who could answer this question better than me. NOTHING would have been too much trouble for me, but I honored her wishes to have her buried in the National Cemetary in Riverside, Ca. For his selfless dedication to his country, John was awarded the Purple Heart and Nary Cross posthumously. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. They will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters who willingly served this Country when she called. 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. The John Basilone Memorial Parade is the only parade in the country honoring a World War II hero. To Ssg Rick doc Borenstein almost every comment by you has included you and your family participation in various wars. She lived in California, worked for the electric company, and volunteered to serve in several organizations related to Marine. He met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, while . My mother was a lot like Lena. On October 24, 1942, John Basilone was supporting the war effort in the Lunga Area. Many, including Virginia herself, expected them to marry . One of her few, if not only, public appearances after Johns death was about nine months after he died. Lena served an important role though,giving the soldier good chow was a morale booster. She got so excited around Christmas when it was time to get gifts together to take to the wounded war heroes!! My uncle, A surgeon eventually took care off me and it worked good. I served for 34 years nearly and the others did service from 4-30 years.I definitely appreciate what family did in Vietnam. And finally, while home on leave, Basilone predicts his own death on Iwo Jima. I was with her as she drew her last labored breath in the ER after weeks of trying to recover from the surgery. Regards, SSg Rick Doc Borenstein ret, US Army Medical Dept. Her favorite framed picture of Johnny always sat looking at her from atop her TV! During the fighting on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone's actions would result in him being awarded the Medal of Honor. It wasnt until The Pacific miniseries came out that we realized Lena lived in Riverside and had we known we could have contacted her. This is an extraordinary piece of History. I know through history lessons and though reading many books that John Basilone had done exactly what I would have done if given the chance. I believe they had no further contact with her. . It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. I have studied the war in the Pacific. [3] Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military. She did have beautiful soft natural slightly curly hair, and she kept it short.. My generation followed their example and I think its why I survived 5 conflicts with mild to moderate PTSD. [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. WowI just started reading Im Staying With My Boys, the book about her husband. I saw how ugly war gets, but I was a medic who had to be there to minimize the suffering of both sides. It also is sad that Lena had a short time with John. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. The number 456 references one of hundreds of end notes in the back of the book. It was great. Are their any other books about him? His arrival was highly publicized, and his hometown held a parade in his honor when he returned. 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. Lena was a pioneer and an example many Marines can follow, I forgot to comment on you father. God Bless Lena and John Basilone our heroes. The war was shortend by what they did. You were lucky to get to know her, even a little! She remained married to her hero for the rest of her life . On the night of October 25, 1942, the Japanese focused their attack on John Basilone's units. Wendy 2003 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Jeannie Ashcroft 2004 Pagans: Elise Ashton 2004 National Treasure: Agent Dawes broward health medical center human resources phone number; steve watson obituary poplar bluff mo Thanks for the kind words. 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. 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 ? The memorial parade for Basilone along Somerset Street in his hometown of Raritan, New Jersey, has been held since 1981. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. I grew up learning all about both of them.The Marines were blessed to have these soldiers.This is why we are a free country by their mere presence I think their story is wonderful, and I am honoring our heritage as women in the Marines and her service to our nation by writing about the lost story of her life. They were dumb animals who wanted . The only thing I really knew about Basilone was the road that cuts through Camp Pendleton. So Ive been doing some research of my own. 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. 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. We are a better world because of them Regards, Doc. GOD bless you, and thank you for evidently just being you. [9][10] As the battle went on, ammunition became critically low. I am finding this is a need especially this last Friday when a retired E7 took his daughters and himself in a homicide.-suicide. I want to reduce veteran suicide statistic rate. Basilone's Medal of Honor citation reads as follows: The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to. 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? Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. "Sgt. At that time women were not accepted in a mans world in the military at that time. Their bomber was called Cabin In the sky. Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. 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. We will be running around all weekend for various events with the Commandant of the Marine Corps and of course multiple Iwo Jima survivors. Death and burial ground of Basilone, John, "Manila John". From what I have learned about her from you and others Lena was a very independent woman. I have a flag and it has the names of family and friends named on it. Some were there when I wanted to to be a Marines,and the rules said I could not be one. Regards,Doc, Robin: I second a lot of Pauls comments. Peter J. Basilone, register of wills for Baltimore County and a former state legislator, died Thursday of liver cancer at his Towson residence. A colossal critical and commercial failure, it essentially marked the end of Hunter's career as a major Hollywood player. They were only married 7 months when John fell in battle within 2-4 hours of hitting the beach. Was your father on the bridge when that occurred? We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. 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. January. For his heroism there, he was awarded the Navy. he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. With his unit pinned down, Basilone made his way around the side of the Japanese positions until he was directly on top of the blockhouse. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. I again support Lenas generation and love what she did. i am a proud American. WEnow are beginning to treat veterans with this problem. I felt both sides descended in to a hell that was what unimaginable to the human mind. I think it is what spooked him from combat. I have stayed to true to taking care of the troops as a medic. Lena had an important job, seeing that the mess hall efficiently functioned ,and providing good food to keep up morale.This is what Lena was all about. I tried my hardest through the years to get Lena to consent to be buried in Arlington Natioal Cemetary with her Johnny. She is interviewing Iwo Jima Marines and those who knew her Uncle. In 21 Dec 1945 Lena christened a Navy destroyer ship named the USS Basilone in her husband's honor. [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. Lena was a legend as was John.Lena helped a lot of vets at the VA navigate the system and get what they needed. Basilone's wife, Lena Mae, never remarried. Hair nets are an essential thing for mess hall personnel as I have been a Mess hall inspector as part of medic duties. I think this battlespooked him. Marine Corp veteran Korea Bongiovi Funeral Home, Raritan, NJ Courier News Sep. 7, 2022 Obituary of Donald Basilone Donald Basilone, 92, of Newport Richie, died August 13, 2022. Wow! This may include medical bills, eviction notices, or other relevant documents. Thank you both for your service and sacrifice. Date of Death : February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima Airport / Iohjima Airport / Iohtoh Airport, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan : Place of Birth : Buffalo : Country: . 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. Correction here: No such thing as a MOH winner. To me as I have said before was a legend of her own in the Marine Corps. She was very selfless.and helped without expecting anything in return. Lena was the pioneer and was a very strong Non commissioned officer and ran a very good mess hall. Regardless of whether Basilone's ability was real or imagined, what matters is that he believed it, making his request for orders to the fleet and his actions on Iwo Jima all the more astounding. For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Leader of a Machine-Gun Section, Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. This is how I remember those who were vets like my dad and friends including my oldest sister. I feel pontoon bridges which were being built during and after the first weakening of the main bridge should have mandated use of the pontoon bridges to save engineers lives. 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. Anyway it looks like John and Lena Basilone meet and fall in love during episode 8.
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