Thanks for the kind words. Lena Basilone and the Women Marines. HBO did a wonderful job and I wish to see more great documentarylike shows that can bring history to life. John Basilone Biography - USS Basilone DDE/DD 824 They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. Lena was a person who lived life with a low profile and she was laid to rest in Riverside countys VA cemetery. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! I too am writing about her for a project in the Marines. Whether Geneva convention rules exist or not, you use weapons or do what it take to win.. To apply for a WMA Emergency Grant, you must complete the online application form and provide documentation of your financial emergency. A bust of Basilone is sited at Piazza Basilone, in, The Order of the Sons of Italy In America Lodge #2442 in, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 22:45. Explore John Basilone net worth, birthday, height, age, bio, salary, 2023! The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. She worked for the electric company and volunteered countless hours of her time at the Womens Marine Association, the American Veterans Auxiliary, and the Long Beach Veterans Hospital. 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. : My dad was the same way even though. I had it easy in comparison. I love my Vietnam compadres and family. A scrapbook compiled by the family of US Marine Sgt. Her group of women were heavily complimented and recognized by the marines they served for good chow. My name is Ali Bardeguez, and I was wondering if maybe you had some insight to her upbringing? Lena never remarried. Lena was a legend as was John.Lena helped a lot of vets at the VA navigate the system and get what they needed. Year Title Role Notes 1999 On the Q.T. Regards Staff Sgt RickDoc Borenstein US Army Medical Corps, Retired . , Brad Garrett Wife Height, Is A Mobile Home Considered Real Property In Florida, Animated Music Videos . Sergeant John Basilone - MarineParents.com I have never regret a moment of my 34 yrs of service. John Basilone (04 November 1916 to 19 February 1945) was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who received the Medal of Honour 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 . What would make someone cut the connection so completely, yet state that she had the best?, Miss she had the man he was worth more than any material thing she had and her memory of him was enough for her. 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. 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". to me it was a tough and frustrating war in many ways. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. Just before his 18th birthday, Basilone enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines as an infantryman from 1934 to 1937. I also had the chance to tell her about Sgt. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. She gave to his family to not be selfish and share. Representing The Fewer & ProuderGenerations of Service, SSG Richard"Rick"Doc" Borenstein,Medic Retired, ssg rick "doc " borenstein ret. Sgt Lena Mae Riggi Basilone (1913-1999) - Find a She belongs at Arlington. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 - her 32nd birthday. Although she was just. The Marines had a Sullivans which I fell victim too, I wanted to be a Marine. Your email address will not be published. I felt both sides descended in to a hell that was what unimaginable to the human mind. Another USS John Basilone is We are seeking those who knew both John and Lena for the documentary. Virginia Grey Hollywood Starlet & Pin Up - WW2 DOG TAGS 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. On her 32nd birthday she receive word of Johns death on Iwo Jima.He was one of the many who laid their lives down for not only fellow Marines, but also for US Army airmen in crippled B29s who could not return to the Mariana Island base and would have had to face the perils of the Pacific. strips, they finally agreed to put Sgt.on her grave marker. Hi Robin: I second what you said. I have seen what they went through and it mirrors my own combat experiences,5 deployments worth.since 1991 to 2007.Lena Basilone and John were my heros and did their jobs to what they knew was their best. I guess she told her friend Barbara that she didnt want to bother anyone which is silly. She is interviewing Iwo Jima Marines and those who knew her Uncle. Marine Sergeant John Basilone receives his Medal of Honor in recognition of his heroism on Guadalcanal on October 24-25, 1942. This is probably why it occurred. It should be cherished by Marines Past, Present, and Future. She responded that she had served as a Marine in the early 70s. The Life and Death of . I had to settle for the Army. The USS Basilone, a Gearing -class destroyer sponsored by Basilone's wife Lena, was laid down and launched in 1945 and commissioned in 1949. She made an effort to reconcile with them after the war when she visited and presented to the family Johns Medal of Honor. John met Lena at Pendleton,it took a while because Lena was her own woman and a noncomissioned officer whe eventually attained the rank of Master Sergeant, She did not rush to John immediately as you saw in the Pacific but once she did they were head over heels for each other.John was a no nonsense Gunnery Sergeant and was very good with a machine gun and thats what got him the Congressional Medal of Honor(equivalent to a Victoria Cross). I caught the tail end of it when we had to get our ADA missiles out of there. Remembering John Basilone, Medal of Honor, USMC Guadalcanal How John Basilone died in The Pacific. He didn't actually - AVForums Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. Fortunately, I have known a lot of Lenas who I served with. Japan initiated it and made the rules in my mind, The USMC adapted and fought accordingly. Nick Name: Manila John Also Known As: Manila John Died At Age: 28 Family: Spouse/Ex-: Lena Mae Riggi (m. 1944) father: Salvatore Basilone mother: Theadora Bencivenga Born Country: United States Soldiers American Men Height: 1.8 m Died on: February 19, 1945 place of death: Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan Ancestry: Italian American . If any of you served with or knew Lena please let me know. Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of Marines John and Lena Thank You very much for being Lenas family. From what Ive read they gained a lot of prestige. Neither did they want to include she was the wife of Gunnery Sgt. May 10, 2013!! They finally agreed to wife of Sgt.John Basilone. 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. Barbara; Thank you for this insight in to Lena Basilone. Basilone received numerous honors, including the following: John Basilone receiving the Medal of Honor in 1943. Robin: Ask Barbara About what Lena said I dont want to bother anyone because she was like a daughter to Lena. May they rest in peace. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. 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 need everyone on the line. Keep up the good work Women Marines Association! Her life and her love is a chapter sadly left untold. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these . 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 . Lena Basilone, plus every picture I could find of her in her uniform showing her Sgt. 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. I knew Lena briefly because I had to have an urgent medical problem taken care of at the VA and she helped me cut much of the red tape. Thanks, Dave. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. Here is all of the publicly released testimony by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in one place. I also remember my fallen comrades from high school, through Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm Iraq and Afghanistan. My daddy was killed in Germany at the battle at the Remagen Bridge in 1945. John Basilone Annihilates a Japanese Regiment in Guadalcanal I know your comment is from many years ago, but I do hope this finds you well! I think it is what spooked him from combat. Came here because I just saw the 8th Episode of The Pacific. We both felt there was bigger job to medics. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. Widowed Unfortunately, Basilone was killed in action on Iwo Jima. He guided the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite heavy weapons fire from the Japanese. 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 loved the movie Pacific and i felt horrible when he died so young after they were married. Hi Barbara! Thank you!!! It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. Quite a story. It also is sad that Lena had a short time with John. On October 24, 1942, John Basilone was supporting the war effort in the Lunga Area. John R Basilone Obituary (1956 - 2023) | Pemberton, New Jersey - Echovita To me John was a legend whose legacy will not be matched for a long time. Your email address will not be published. care.If that helps you. 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. I was a medic in Desert Storm, Korea,Bosnia, and Iraq. I have been trying to find you. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of John R Basilone to pay them a last tribute. We do a ceremony every wednesday for Vets without Families WE look straight out on her grave Rest in Peace Lena Basilone. We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. 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. Basilone fought. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing . 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. My father was on Peleiliu as a medic and thats what I think spooked him and he finished the war in Hawaii. Dear Barbara Garner, 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. Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of John and Lena Basilone I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. And I hope that in some small way I brought joy to her life, I know she enriched mine ! Its not a contest to receive one. I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. Raritan to hold 35th annual John Basilone Memorial Parade She was definitely not impressed with his celebrity status. I have 8 combat campaigns from Vietnam era to Iraq.It was my frame of combat reference.. She was stationed at Camp Pendleton where she served as a field cook on the base attaining the rank of Sergeant. She even said when you had the best,who wants the rest especially after John was killed at Iwo Jima. But the cynicism did not last, and Lena and John married in the summer of 1944: Death and burial ground of Basilone, John, "Manila John". BASILONE'S sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. He became a doctor and served his community well. She helped get us through the system and see that our needs were met at the facility. We are a better world because of them Regards, Doc. I served until 2007 and retired.I was both an aviation medic and ground medic. I tried your church and they had nothing and various places and people in Ca,You were so important to Aunt Lena. After her funeral I had copies of their wedding picture made and sent to those who attended and left their addresses (I sent other things also, but cant remember exactlynow that I am 80!) Lena earned the right to be buried next to John. "If the Japanese force got through Basilone . She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Instead, Iwo Jima turned out to be a life raft. May God Bless John and Lena Basilone. Lena saw to it that I got the care I needed that day and helped me work through the system there. Her parents were Italian immigrants. Women marines can be rifleman which it is only right and fair. 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 Ric, thank you for pointing out Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. I didnt realize that! 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. She is one of the marines who made the corps what it is today. Their sacrifice was NOT in vain. The younger people have never learned this and it is a strange concept to them . The tickets are free but . Lena Basilone teachs me a lot even after she is gone from our presence. I also wish to convey my condolences to you about your father. The Basilone Family and Raritan Learns of John's Death. Both Eisenhower and Patton wanted to keep on the heels of the Germans, which supposedely justified using the Remagen Bridge. How the Marines' hero of Guadalcanal died at Iwo Jima John Basilone - Home of Heroes