john basilone wife death john basilone wife death

It should be cherished by Marines Past, Present, and Future. I have had my father, uncles, and even grandfathers who fought in WW II and have had find out what it was like because vets find it easier to talk to other vets. Just thought her comment about not wanting to be a bother to anyone was a bit unusual..but am beginning to see that it was instead just very much in her character. Basilone, a member of the U.S. Marines, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action . The top brass who gave the OK should be the ones to blame. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. Was never properly entered into her service records. Most people are very selfish in life and I find that time and life itself are the most valuable things. Im writing a piece on Lena Basilone, I am a Marine and have been looking to speak with people that could share stories about Lena, and her life of love, friendship and her service to veterans after the Marine Corps. Not long after their wedding he shipped out to Iwo Jima and in February of 1945 he was killed in battle. Basilone grew up in the nearby Raritan Town (now Borough of Raritan) where he attended St. Bernard Parochial School. He was in a good emplacement, and causing the Japanese lots of trouble, not only firing his machine gun, but also using his pistol."[8]. I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. 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. They are Medal of Honor RECIPIENTS. 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. Women make the Marines the effective force they are today.Without Lena, this would not have occurred as easily. [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. I got a lot of insights on it from my high school teachers who fought as Marines in the Pacific. Virginia Grey Entertainment - Actress Why Famous: Hullabaloo, film Age: 87 (3/22/1917 - 7/31/2004) Virginia Grey's Relationships (3) John Basilone Other - Other Why Famous: Recipient of Medal of Honor for Battle of Guadalcanal . He was 78. Just before his 18th birthday, Basilone enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines as an infantryman from 1934 to 1937. 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. Memorial day is coming upon us fast and its time to remember those we lost, and those who gave back much to veterans as did Lena. [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. Lena never remarried. . He left for Camp Pendleton, California, for training on December 27. It is something the infantry appreciates or as grunts.Barbara Garner knew her best.My father and a lot of my uncles served in the Pacific as pilots, medics ,and grunts, one was a coxswain on the LCVPs or Higgins boats.. Again, Lena Basilone was in a league of her own and very much ahead of her time. Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. I believe they had no further contact with her. 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]. 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. . My father was a medic,like me. I was never one to really say anything religious. GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the next few days. I wish i was around then. My father,Dr Milt Borenstein was a combat medic in the Pacific Attached to the USMC under General Roy Geiger of Guadalcanal fame.When Lena met John she was in charge of a mess hall at Camp Pendleton,California. Lena lost her husband within A few short months after their wedding . 75 years after, my heart had broke. From what Ive read they gained a lot of prestige. I just watched HBO's The Pacific episode 7, it was great, tons of action. I miss Lena even it was a brief time I knew her .Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein Ret, Hi Barbara, After seeing pacific and reading about John Basilone i have so much admiration for the both of them. We, as a nation, have been blessed to have such people serving to defend us. broward health medical center human resources phone number; steve watson obituary poplar bluff mo Keep up the good work Women Marines Association! Her parents were Italian immigrants. The story of "Manila John" is part of every Marine's boot camp education. I am glad that someone stepped in to be family for her. Neither did they want to include she was the wife of Gunnery Sgt. I guess we all have our way to remember those important to us. Just yesterday I was riding the bus in Portland, Oregon, when a woman boarded with her walker. I am a child of the Vietnam era and I was shaped by those soldiers who fought in Vietnam and adapted to them. 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. The Basilone Family and Raritan Learns of John's Death. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. Lena saw to it that I got the care I needed that day and helped me work through the system there. May God Bless John and Lena Basilone. 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. SSG.RickDoc: I completed 33 yrs of service to the US Army.My uncles and cousins have been Marines. I am very moved and I thank all the American soldiers who fought the cruel war in the Pacific and here in our Europe. My hero as well as her husband. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Lena passed away in 1999 at age 86 and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery at plot 50 grave 5557 with the epitaph "wife of Sgt John Basilone USMC". Her love and bond so strong that she stayed single over 50 years. Women Marines are such an important part of the Marine Corps. I was there when at over 80 years of age the doctor decided to do heart bypass surgery. Having Served 21 years of Active Duty from 1970 to 1992. Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. I agree with you, for theres more to the story then meets the eye. As she moved into her 80s, health issues began to crop up. I am a huge fan of hers and her husband. I salute her, Ms. Garner: I saw the PACIFIC documentary. Your email address will not be published. I served in 5 combat deployments. However, in John's case, something got mixed up. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. He along with many Marines fought like tigercats on that island.Eugene Sledge,Robert Leckie,and RV Burgin were heroes of that island .I too took part during the Vietnam era in combat in Korea(limited basis),Desert Storm,Bosnia(peacekeeper)and Iraq.The war of my father and the Marines was a much more intense combat.Those men rose to the occassion espeically John Basilone at Guadalcanal. Wendy 2003 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Jeannie Ashcroft 2004 Pagans: Elise Ashton 2004 National Treasure: Agent Dawes Truly a wonderful woman of strong beliefs. 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. Sgt. The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. Though the battle was fierce and the Marines' defensive positions were being barraged, Sgt. The civilian man initially had no pulse, and bystanders told the Marine they assumed he was dead. Women recently won an important victory, they now can be combat arms officers. i know in the movie she went to visit his parents. The story is woven with surprising personal details. John Basilone's relationship with Lena Mae Basilone ended when John Basilone died on February 19, 1945. Thank you both for your service and sacrifice. My daddy was killed in Germany at the battle at the Remagen Bridge in 1945. Gracias, amiga! They were legendary icons and did their duties beyond what was required of them. Thank you for your service as well as everyone who serves. Doc Lena too lived a life of service Helping many veterans. From her Find-A-Grave entry and her obituary: Lena Mae Riggi was born on March 7, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. Date of Death : February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima Airport / Iohjima Airport / Iohtoh Airport, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan : Place of Birth : Buffalo : Country: . My husband was stationed in California in the 80s; I even stayed with one of his relatives in Riverside while he checked in at MCRD San Diego. Once again, Basilone would be leading Marines in combat with the Japanese as a machine gun section leader. 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. I read the book Im staying with my boys. Please let me know. It created gut feelings about enemy presence and it wasnt wrong on many occasions. One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient. They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. 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. May they rest in peace. They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds. I then years later caught the Gulf war, Korea, Bosnia and Iraq. I want to honor her life and her lost story- but I cannot do that properly without personal testament. My uncles are marine and Navy vets as well as my two brothers who are Marines. John stood up to run. News of John's death, which had occurred on February 19th, 1945, did not reach home until March 8th, 1945, a Thursday. Women marines can be rifleman which it is only right and fair. We both turned down comissions to be officers many times in spite of field commanders and general recommendations. My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. [3] Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military. I was a medic to engineers when I was in the National Guards and Engineers are over overbearing about safety. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Through smoke and screaming and the crush of mortar fire, John Basilone never faltered. Lena never remarried. The bridge at Remagen , as known as the Luddendorf bridge named after the WW I general, Eric Ludenddorf, it was a railroad bridge. 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. She was an incredible human being and an even better marine, but before posting an article make sure you watch the entire series there were 2 more episodes after your supposed conclusion. Oh, my, it must have been terrible for her. Its great to learn more about the people behind the name. Basilone fought. My dad was a medic on Peleliu. 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. You were lucky to get to know her, even a little! He did things bigger than himself and didnt want the limelight. Wow! Explore John Basilone net worth, birthday, height, age, bio, salary, 2023! Lena was the pioneer and was a very strong Non commissioned officer and ran a very good mess hall. My name is Ali Bardeguez, and I was wondering if maybe you had some insight to her upbringing? Year Title Role Notes 1999 On the Q.T. I found your blog by chance and thoroughly enjoyed this article about Lena. My father was a medic and water purification specialist. I am glad that someone was able to be with Lena. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. [21] His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died on June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. 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. WEnow are beginning to treat veterans with this problem. They got the part absolutely right about Lena totally ignoring Johnny when they first met. 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. Bullets hit him in the right groin, the neck, and just about blew off his left arm completely. It has a cost, a soldiers life. One primary example was the Womens Air Service Pilots, out of Abilene Texas. Hello All: Vera, always treasure what John and Lena were, real icons and professionals. During Virginia's participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, . The . I tried your church and they had nothing and various places and people in Ca,You were so important to Aunt Lena. You got tired both physically and mentally quickly. Lena was a pioneer and an example many Marines can follow, I forgot to comment on you father. When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. I am at least a 3rd generation medic. May 10, 2013!! The saddest days of my life were seeing Lenas normally fighting spirit wane after her surgery. RegardsDoc P.S. From what I have learned about her from you and others Lena was a very independent woman. He also was at Peleliu with the the 321st or 81st divisions he never said much about it. 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. He was offered a commission, which he turned down, and was later offered an assignment as an instructor, but refused this as well. Lena was a legend as was John.Lena helped a lot of vets at the VA navigate the system and get what they needed. She helped get us through the system and see that our needs were met at the facility. Celebrity Birthdays; Celebrity Deaths; . Charles "Check" Tatum. She had a very strong love for Gy.Sgt John Basilone even though their marriage was short,it was a very strong one. On one occasion I drove Lena to Camp Pendleton for a celebration of the Womens Marine Corp. 60th anniversary, (I think it was 60) It was so great seeing how she was honored and revered by the young lady Marines. 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. I have had 7 combat campaigns to boot too Lena was not not much for publicity and kept a low profile. The John Basilone Memorial Parade is the only parade in the country honoring a World War II hero. 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. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring. She helped many veterans at the VA Medical center where she lived. 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. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. Marine's heroism gave him legendary status. Peleliu,Iwo Jima,Guadalcanal,New Britian,and Okinawa were among the toughest campaigns in tough conditions to fight.We had tough during VietNam with equal intensity.I marvel at these heroes, who adapted and overcame very tenacious and determined to die foes.This miniseries told it like it was. I love my Vietnam compadres and family. I too am writing about her for a project in the Marines. to me it was a tough and frustrating war in many ways. To my knowledge, Lena never had long hair and I dont think in those days it was allowed by the WMS. "It brings back so many memories.". This is where the television show concludes and unfortunately for curious viewers, the show apparently did not include any follow-up information about John Basilones widow. My dad and I were medics, My dad fought alongside the Marines as an Army medic.He saw battle in the Marshall,Marianas islands and Peleliu.We looked like the infantry,because we carried rifles,and other weapons as we needed to protect our selves as well as patients. Thank you!!! One of her few, if not only, public appearances after Johns death was about nine months after he died. John Basilone. Lets just say Ive become officially obsessed with the story. Ive watched the HBO series several times. 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. Lena was also very prominent in veterans affairs. After his request to return to the fleet was approved, Basilone was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. She was never accepted by Johns family, as if she had taken him away from them. 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 finally got to see the Pacificand I was just blown away! As a combat veteran myself it was extremely realistic and told what it was like.