Lena was raised in my hometown of Portland, OR. The were either Green Berets or medics, a supply clerk and even grunts. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 her 32nd birthday. After receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps legend GySgt John Basilone fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. I reluctantly want to fight wars but as a medic we are needed to ease the suffering and save lives, Hi SGT Rick, i love everything about the greatest generation. 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. December 26, 2022 by Robin. Virginia Grey Hollywood Starlet & Pin Up - WW2 DOG TAGS 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. Hi, your very lucky to have known Lena Basilone. She died 55 years after her husband, in 1999, and was buried wearing her wedding ring. She remained active with the Women's Marine Association and died in June 1999 at 86 years of age. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Lena Basilone ran an extremely well regarded mess hall and led her Marines. John Basilone and Lena Mae Basilone | Married Divorced Children Ex They both are heros of mine. Lena served an important role though,giving the soldier good chow was a morale booster. 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. To me John was a legend whose legacy will not be matched for a long time. His actions at Guadalcanal earned him the Medal of Honor. GOD bless you, and thank you for evidently just being you. 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. She got so excited around Christmas when it was time to get gifts together to take to the wounded war heroes!! Most people are very selfish in life and I find that time and life itself are the most valuable things. Hope you were able to get the Pacific series. They . We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. They are soldiers with a purpose, soldiers who are tough, and agree with marine message that they are the best, the toughest, and will take on and complete any mission handed them. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. [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. John Basilone is a Marine Corps legend. John Basilone - Arlington National Cemetery She had a very strong love for Gy.Sgt John Basilone even though their marriage was short,it was a very strong one. I am proud to be a citizen from the same country, USA, as these two remarkable people and salute their service and sacrifices. They will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters who willingly served this Country when she called. My Uncle Dick fought and flag razed on Mount Suribaci. Thank you, to the Sergeants Basilone for their service, and may God have united you again in heaven. However, I was impressed by the story of Lena and John Basilone. Hi Paul: I was a young kid when Vietnam went down. 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. John Basilone Obituary (1956 - 2023) - Legacy Remembers I needed urgent medical care at a VA medical center.Lena help cut much of the red tape get me in for care that very day.I have never forgotten what she did. 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. It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. My hero as well as her husband. To my knowledge, Lena never had long hair and I dont think in those days it was allowed by the WMS. Highest Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein, Thank you Barbara for your kind words. Regards Doc I Was A combat medic like my father, Thank You for thinking of Lena Basilone.She did a lot as was mentioned in my previous comments.She helped a lot of our veterans get access to services they needed. Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. They were only married 7 months when John fell in battle within 2-4 hours of hitting the beach. May 10, 2013!! Brother & Sister. Peter J. Basilone, register of wills for Baltimore County and a former state legislator, died Thursday of liver cancer at his Towson residence. 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. He was sent home to sell. At first they did not want to acknowledge Lena had the rank of Sgt. Megan. For his selfless dedication to his country, John was awarded the Purple Heart and Nary Cross posthumously. Lena too lived a life of service Helping many veterans. I felt both sides descended in to a hell that was what unimaginable to the human mind. John Basilone's passing at the age of 66 on Sunday, February 5, 2023 has been publicly announced by Bradley and Stow Funeral Home in Medford, NJ. I am a child of the Vietnam era and I was shaped by those soldiers who fought in Vietnam and adapted to them. 75 years after, my heart had broke. I knew Lean briefly due to my dealings with the VA in Long Beach. Japan two hours of early warning of raids. Only 34 Japanese survived it. Just yesterday I was riding the bus in Portland, Oregon, when a woman boarded with her walker. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines had been virtually annihilated. When the heavy .30 . Lena Basilone teachs me a lot even after she is gone from our presence. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. I guess we all have our way to remember those important to us. I know one person who could answer this question better than me. Famous John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916 in United States. My dad was in the Peleliu campaign as part of the US Armys 81st Division who finished the campaign at Angaur, a neighboring island. They were legendary icons and did their duties beyond what was required of them. Truly a wonderful woman of strong beliefs. I think the I dont want to be a bother remark reflected the reported poor treatment she received from Basilones family. I think I am beginning to understand Lena a bit better. Fortunately, I have known a lot of Lenas who I served with. He was offered a commission, which he turned down, and was later offered an assignment as an instructor, but refused this as well. Remembering John Basilone, Medal of Honor, USMC Guadalcanal May they rest in peace. I deserved it. Ive watched the HBO series several times. I finally got to see the Pacificand I was just blown away! Thats typical. Her parents were Italian immigrants. or what its supposed to be. John Basilone - Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps Basilone commanded two sections of machine guns which fought for the next two days until only Basilone and two other Marines were left standing. Sgt Lena sounds like a very strong and amazing woman. [12] After the parade, Basilone toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. I also had the chance to tell her about Sgt. . [15] They honeymooned at an onion farm near Portland, Oregon.[16]. Lena received a telegram and went back to the beach, mourning him. I ran into Mrs. Basilone @ the VA when I need help navigating the system, She was there for me. 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. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. 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. So now Im just stoked and really want to learn more and perhaps write a book about her. Basilone: Directed by David Nutter. I myself was never able to enlist or join any branch of the service due to many medical issues, but I had tried many times. We spoke once, I am Lena Riggi BAsilones niece, Lost your number in Computer world of storms. On December 8, 1941, she went to go shopping. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. i am a proud American. He became a doctor and served his community well. She is my hero. Neither did they want to include she was the wife of Gunnery Sgt. Lena never forgot us and took care of us. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Basilone's Navy Cross citation reads as follows: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to. Here's Only Marine to win Medal of Honor, Navy Cross During WWII It's simply . May God Bless John and Lena Basilone. They definitely did not wear cute little feminine skirted waitress type uniforms. 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". If you call any of them a winner you are disgracing the recipients and those who died earning it. These drones can remain airborne until a target is identified at which point they set a course for that target and go out in a blaze of glory. and for the families they left behind.. Only fitting that they be together, (2 marines) who on earth will be angry for such an act. 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]. What an amazing lady. Its why I have the attitudes I do. I would think she should be buried beside John Basilone., I think Arlington has different requirements from other cemeteries. He spoke very little about it. She helped many veterans at the VA Medical center where she lived. 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. Giving Johns Medal of Honor to his Mom and Dad was a selfless and gracious gift . My uncles in WW II served both in Europe and the Pacific. I had family in 1st Mar Div ahead of and had to join the Army in 73. Uncompromising with her conversations. For his heroism there, he was awarded the Navy. We will be running around all weekend for various events with the Commandant of the Marine Corps and of course multiple Iwo Jima survivors. What a shame she is not buried with her husband. Let us remember who they were and the ultimate sacrifice made for us all. care.If that helps you. Which made him keep his accounts inside of him. If any of you served with or knew Lena please let me know. John Basilone - Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Bio, Birthday, Wiki! Such a self-effacing woman she must have been, all the while doing so much good for others! I have been trying to find you. I am a huge fan of him and his wife. I just watched HBO's The Pacific episode 7, it was great, tons of action. "Sgt. My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. 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. I did start watching The Pacific after reading a few of these comments, and I have to say that it is a very emotional rollercoaster of a miniseries. It the untold storys you eventually get to hear that you never forget Im so glad that this was shared, Marie: Lena was the pioneer for what the post WWII Marine corps would be today.Women are playing a vital role in what occurs in the modern USMC today. This is what Memorial Day or Decoration Day is all about. I would have giving anything to have met MRS Lena Basilone. HBO did a wonderful job and I wish to see more great documentarylike shows that can bring history to life. God Bless Lena and John Basilone our heroes. We are seeking those who knew both John and Lena for the documentary. 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. Doc I still feel that Lena was a marine that was tough as nails. [11] Afterwards, Private First Class Nash W. Phillips of Fayetteville, North Carolina, recalled from the battle for Guadalcanal: "Basilone had a machine gun on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest, or food. It created gut feelings about enemy presence and it wasnt wrong on many occasions. They were good examples which I followed. [22], Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's military awards include:[23]. I was a busy medic and many days circumstances precluded writing.We do overlook the homefront but we have better communication, specifically emails now.and Skype.Lena and John would like these changes.I served as a medic to many of the combat arms so I hope my insights help. Thank You very much for being Lenas family. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. Lena Basilone, wife of 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. John Basilone: An article in Monday's Calendar section about John Basilone, whose death on Iwo Jima was marked on the HBO series "The Pacific," described him as a Congressional Medal of. Came here because I just saw the 8th Episode of The Pacific. Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone - Women Marines Association Some familys recognized that the problem existed after the war and helped them. 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 ? I hope that you dont get what Im saying to you wrong Im not beating you up its just saying what Ive learned from the older Marines was the thing to do. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! John Basilone killed at Iwo Jima - by Marc Lancaster - Substack 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. [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. I have learned that Lena was a strong willed woman which made her what she was. 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 RegardsDoc P.S. : My dad was the same way even though. They exhibited little gratitude when she gave the family the medal and insurance proceeds. Age: 86 (3/7/1913 - 6/11/1999) Lena Mae Basilone's Relationships (1) Check out our New "Top 10 Worst . He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. to me it was a tough and frustrating war in many ways. This N.J town has a sister in Italy, thanks to a WWII hero

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