scoutsout80
03-08-2010, 09:48 AM
A key character in the upcoming HBO series "The Pacific"
Biography
John was born at the Basilone family home November 4, 1916 in Buffalo, New York, the sixth of ten children. His father, Salvatore Basilone immigrated to the United States from just outside Naples, Italy in 1903, when he was 19 and settled in Raritan, New Jersey. His mother Dora Bengivenga was born in 1889 and grew up in Raritan but her parents, Carlo and Catrina also came from Naples. Johns parents met at a church gathering and after dating for three years they got married and lived with Doras parents while saving money to get their own place. He went to St. Bernard Parochial School in Raritan and after completing school when he was fifteen he dropped out prior to attending high school.
Military service
At 18 he worked as a caddy for the local country club and decided to join the military. He enlisted in the United States Army and completed his three-year enlistment in the Philippines, where he was a champion boxer. Upon returning home he worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. After driving trucks for a few months he wanted to go back to Manilla and believed that he could get there faster as a Marine than as a soldier in the army. He enlisted into the Marines in July 1940 from Baltimore, Maryland and was sent to recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River (now known as Camp Lejeune). The Corps sent him to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for his next assignment and after that he was sent to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands as a member of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
Guadalcanal
Basilone with his machinegun at GuadalcanalWhile on Guadalcanal his fellow Marines gave him the nickname "Manila John" due to his former service in the Philippines with the Army. On October 24, 1942 he was engaging the Japanese in the Lunga area with his unit when their defensive positions came under attack by a Japanese regiment of appoximately 3000 soldiers. The Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine-guns, grenades and mortar fire against the American heavy machine-guns. The American forces fought for the next 48 hours until only Basilone and two other men from his squad were still able to continue fighting. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. He was able to repair another machine-gun and personally manned it, holding his line until replacements arrived. With the continuous fighting, ammunition was becoming critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone risked his life by fighting his way through hostile lines and returning with urgently needed shells for his gunners. By the time the battle was over the attacking Japanese regiment had been virtually annihilated. For his actions during this battle he received the United States military's highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor.
Afterwards Private First Class Nash W. Phillips, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, recalled him from the battle for Guadalcanal: "Basilone had a machine gun on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest or food". "He was in a good emplacement, and causing the Japs lots of trouble, not only firing his machine gun but also using his pistol."
War bond tour and marriage
After the Medal of honor ceremony he returned to the States and participated in a War Bond Tour. His arrival was highly anticipated and publicized in the media and when he got back to his hometown they had planned a homecoming parade in his honor. The parade occurred on Sunday, September 19, 1943 and drew a huge crowd with thousands of people, including politicians, celebrities, and the national press. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. After the parade he toured throughout the country raising money for the war effort and throughout the tour he was treated like a celebrity. He appreciated the admiration but he felt out of place and wanted to return to life as a Marine so he requested to go back to the war. The request was denied and told he was needed more on the home front and was offered a commission, but he turned it down. He was later offered an assignment as an instructor but denied it as well, requesting again that he be allowed to return to the war and this time the request was approved. He was sent to Camp Pendleton, California for training and on December 27, 1943, he left. While he was stationed at Camp Pendleton he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. They were married at St. Mary's Church in Oceanside, July 10, 1944, with a reception at the Carlsbad Hotel. They honeymooned at her parents' onion farm in Portland. He requested a return to the fighting in the Pacific theatre.
Iwo Jima
After his request to return to the fleet was approved he was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division during the invasion of Iwo Jima within the Volcano Islands. He was serving as the leader of a machine-gun section in action against enemy Japanese forces on Red Beach II, February 19, 1945. When his unit attempted to advance against the Japanese they concentrated their fire at the incoming American troops from heavily fortified blockhouses staged throughout the island. Basilone made his way around the side of the Japanese positions until he was directly on top of the blockhouse and then attacked with grenades and demolitions. Basilone single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. He then fought his way over toward Airfield Number 1 and later aided a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages. He guided the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite heavy weapons fire from the Japanese forces. When he was attempting to move along the edge of the airfield he was instantly killed by an exploding mortar shell. For his actions during the battle of Iwo Jima he was posthumously approved for the Marine Corps' second highest decoration for bravery, the Navy Cross.
His body was reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia and his grave can be found in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5.
Military honors
Medal of Honor citation
His Medal of Honor citation, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, reads:
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
SERGEANT
JOHN BASILONE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. 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. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Navy Cross citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to
GUNNERY SERGEANT
JOHN BASILONE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
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. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. 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. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. 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. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
For the President,
/s/ JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy
[edit] Other honors
Since his death he has been honored numerous times including being the namesake of a United States Navy destroyer, a postage stamp and several plaques, monuments and geographical landmarks.
[edit] USS Basilone
Sgt Lena Mae Basilone, USMC(WR), widow of John Basilone, prepares to christen the destroyer USS Basilone (December 21, 1945)The United States Navy named a Gearing-class destroyer the USS Basilone in 1949. The ship was laid down on July 7, 1945 in Orange, Texas and launched on December 21, 1945. The ship was sponsored by his widow, Sergeant Lena Mae Basilone.[8]
[edit] Marine Corps buildings and landmarks
The Marine Corps has a number of things named for him scattered throughout the bases and stations they maintain. These include Basilone Road, an entry point into Camp Pendleton from Interstate 5;[9] A section of U.S. Interstate 5 running through Camp Pendleton, California, is named the "Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Highway";[10] and Basilone Drop Zone on Camp Pendleton
Biography
John was born at the Basilone family home November 4, 1916 in Buffalo, New York, the sixth of ten children. His father, Salvatore Basilone immigrated to the United States from just outside Naples, Italy in 1903, when he was 19 and settled in Raritan, New Jersey. His mother Dora Bengivenga was born in 1889 and grew up in Raritan but her parents, Carlo and Catrina also came from Naples. Johns parents met at a church gathering and after dating for three years they got married and lived with Doras parents while saving money to get their own place. He went to St. Bernard Parochial School in Raritan and after completing school when he was fifteen he dropped out prior to attending high school.
Military service
At 18 he worked as a caddy for the local country club and decided to join the military. He enlisted in the United States Army and completed his three-year enlistment in the Philippines, where he was a champion boxer. Upon returning home he worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. After driving trucks for a few months he wanted to go back to Manilla and believed that he could get there faster as a Marine than as a soldier in the army. He enlisted into the Marines in July 1940 from Baltimore, Maryland and was sent to recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River (now known as Camp Lejeune). The Corps sent him to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for his next assignment and after that he was sent to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands as a member of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
Guadalcanal
Basilone with his machinegun at GuadalcanalWhile on Guadalcanal his fellow Marines gave him the nickname "Manila John" due to his former service in the Philippines with the Army. On October 24, 1942 he was engaging the Japanese in the Lunga area with his unit when their defensive positions came under attack by a Japanese regiment of appoximately 3000 soldiers. The Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine-guns, grenades and mortar fire against the American heavy machine-guns. The American forces fought for the next 48 hours until only Basilone and two other men from his squad were still able to continue fighting. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. He was able to repair another machine-gun and personally manned it, holding his line until replacements arrived. With the continuous fighting, ammunition was becoming critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone risked his life by fighting his way through hostile lines and returning with urgently needed shells for his gunners. By the time the battle was over the attacking Japanese regiment had been virtually annihilated. For his actions during this battle he received the United States military's highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor.
Afterwards Private First Class Nash W. Phillips, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, recalled him from the battle for Guadalcanal: "Basilone had a machine gun on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest or food". "He was in a good emplacement, and causing the Japs lots of trouble, not only firing his machine gun but also using his pistol."
War bond tour and marriage
After the Medal of honor ceremony he returned to the States and participated in a War Bond Tour. His arrival was highly anticipated and publicized in the media and when he got back to his hometown they had planned a homecoming parade in his honor. The parade occurred on Sunday, September 19, 1943 and drew a huge crowd with thousands of people, including politicians, celebrities, and the national press. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. After the parade he toured throughout the country raising money for the war effort and throughout the tour he was treated like a celebrity. He appreciated the admiration but he felt out of place and wanted to return to life as a Marine so he requested to go back to the war. The request was denied and told he was needed more on the home front and was offered a commission, but he turned it down. He was later offered an assignment as an instructor but denied it as well, requesting again that he be allowed to return to the war and this time the request was approved. He was sent to Camp Pendleton, California for training and on December 27, 1943, he left. While he was stationed at Camp Pendleton he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. They were married at St. Mary's Church in Oceanside, July 10, 1944, with a reception at the Carlsbad Hotel. They honeymooned at her parents' onion farm in Portland. He requested a return to the fighting in the Pacific theatre.
Iwo Jima
After his request to return to the fleet was approved he was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division during the invasion of Iwo Jima within the Volcano Islands. He was serving as the leader of a machine-gun section in action against enemy Japanese forces on Red Beach II, February 19, 1945. When his unit attempted to advance against the Japanese they concentrated their fire at the incoming American troops from heavily fortified blockhouses staged throughout the island. Basilone made his way around the side of the Japanese positions until he was directly on top of the blockhouse and then attacked with grenades and demolitions. Basilone single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. He then fought his way over toward Airfield Number 1 and later aided a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages. He guided the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite heavy weapons fire from the Japanese forces. When he was attempting to move along the edge of the airfield he was instantly killed by an exploding mortar shell. For his actions during the battle of Iwo Jima he was posthumously approved for the Marine Corps' second highest decoration for bravery, the Navy Cross.
His body was reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia and his grave can be found in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5.
Military honors
Medal of Honor citation
His Medal of Honor citation, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, reads:
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
SERGEANT
JOHN BASILONE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. 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. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Navy Cross citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to
GUNNERY SERGEANT
JOHN BASILONE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
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. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. 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. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. 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. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
For the President,
/s/ JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy
[edit] Other honors
Since his death he has been honored numerous times including being the namesake of a United States Navy destroyer, a postage stamp and several plaques, monuments and geographical landmarks.
[edit] USS Basilone
Sgt Lena Mae Basilone, USMC(WR), widow of John Basilone, prepares to christen the destroyer USS Basilone (December 21, 1945)The United States Navy named a Gearing-class destroyer the USS Basilone in 1949. The ship was laid down on July 7, 1945 in Orange, Texas and launched on December 21, 1945. The ship was sponsored by his widow, Sergeant Lena Mae Basilone.[8]
[edit] Marine Corps buildings and landmarks
The Marine Corps has a number of things named for him scattered throughout the bases and stations they maintain. These include Basilone Road, an entry point into Camp Pendleton from Interstate 5;[9] A section of U.S. Interstate 5 running through Camp Pendleton, California, is named the "Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Highway";[10] and Basilone Drop Zone on Camp Pendleton