john basilone wife death

After John Basilone's death, his wife Lena never remarried. . Just yesterday I was riding the bus in Portland, Oregon, when a woman boarded with her walker. God bless Lena and John in as they are together in the World without end. A scrapbook compiled by the family of US Marine Sgt. John Basilone Quotes. During the fighting on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone's actions would result in him being awarded the Medal of Honor. Thanks for taking care of Lena, Stella: My dad was a veteran of the Pacific. Thank you both for your service to the greatest nation in the world. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. John Basilone is a Marine Corps legend. It was my joy and privilege to be able to stay with her often in her home, to drive her for outings, groceries, shopping, doctor appointments or out to lunch or supper. Outmanned and with supplies low, Basilone and other marines on Guadacanal rally to repel superior Japanese forces. 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. I have had 7 combat campaigns to boot too Lena was not not much for publicity and kept a low profile. I am a child of the Vietnam era and I was shaped by those soldiers who fought in Vietnam and adapted to them. Thank You very much for being Lenas family. I agree, Lena was a loyal wife to a great Marine! After his death, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. She helped many veterans at the VA Medical center where she lived. For his heroism there, he was awarded the Navy. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. She deserves it all! John was killed on Iwo Jima February 19, 1945 just seven months after marrying the love of his life and seven months before the allies would declare victory in the Pacific. Chuck Tatum who survived Iwo Jima. My father served in the Pacific and took part in the Central Pacific and Palau campaign(Peleliu). On February 19, 1945, the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, he was serving as a machine gun section leader on Red Beach II. I see us tangling with Muslim fundamentalists with our full military weight and soldiers like John and Lean were will help us win it. She made an effort to reconcile with them after the war when she visited and presented to the family Johns Medal of Honor. 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. Today, the Women's Reserve is no more. Date of Death : February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima Airport / Iohjima Airport / Iohtoh Airport, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan : Place of Birth : Buffalo : Country: . John Basilone was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. This is what Memorial Day or Decoration Day is all about. It created gut feelings about enemy presence and it wasnt wrong on many occasions. "They weren't even men anymore. The USS Basilone, a Gearing -class destroyer sponsored by Basilone's wife Lena, was laid down and launched in 1945 and commissioned in 1949. My mother married my father in 43 during the war and she constantly worried about him until he came. 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. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. John taught me to lead my medics well and to take care of them as he did his Marines. Its not a contest to receive one. Basilone, a member of the U.S. Marines, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action . The John Basilone Memorial Parade is the only parade in the country honoring a World War II hero. Widowed Unfortunately, Basilone was killed in action on Iwo Jima. May God Bless John and Lena Basilone. Please feel free to email me at the address below or Alison.Bardeguez@usmc.mil, I just want to say what a beautiful story of your meeting and becoming her friend. Doesnt make sense to me at all, along with returning his medal of honor and insurance to his family. Are their any other books about him? Semper Fi Marine, Well done rest in peace. I have my lense of combat by which I can see why the Pacific descended into the cauldron of hell that it was, both sides fought brutally with equal gusto. I am very moved and I thank all the American soldiers who fought the cruel war in the Pacific and here in our Europe. As a veteran, I have profound respect for her service to this country. I think it is what spooked him from combat. Both her and her husband had each other and that was enough. I had it easy in comparison. Lena Basilone, plus every picture I could find of her in her uniform showing her Sgt. The Death of "Manila John" Basilone. SSG RickDoc Borenstein US Army (Ret). I ran into Mrs. Basilone @ the VA when I need help navigating the system, She was there for me. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. The Marines had a Sullivans which I fell victim too, I wanted to be a Marine. I just saw this site today for the first time. I lost some high school buddies that went to Nam as well some in later conflicts. Dear Barbara Garner, The price of freedom is not cheap. 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. Wife of John Basilone. : My dad was the same way even though. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of John R Basilone to pay them a last tribute. She was as fun, compassionate and loving as she was tough. 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 write this with tears streaming as I think about the years of fun we shared together. He was 78. In February 1945, he was killed in action on the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, after he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse and led a Marine tank under fire safely through a minefield. You know the the part when theyre having breakfast and where John says its incredible about what can happen over a cup of coffee? Yes, Id say the operative word there is incredible considering that Lenas father and mother had both passed away by the time Lena had enlisted in 1943. Famous John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916 in United States. Highest Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein, Thank you Barbara for your kind words. I salute everybody and those of us who survived. 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. 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. May 10, 2013!! They definitely did not wear cute little feminine skirted waitress type uniforms. Representing The Fewer & ProuderGenerations of Service, SSG Richard"Rick"Doc" Borenstein,Medic Retired, ssg rick "doc " borenstein ret. The young people in our church adored her even though she was tough with them. Thats typical. The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. I have been trying to find you. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. So these male Marines of today who want to diss on women in the Corps need to be quiet. She remained married to her hero for the rest of her life . 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. 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. Lena helped many of us including me to get help from the VA.While I had briefly known her. The Lena I knew would rather be buried where she was because she didnt seek the limelight and wanted to live a quiet life. BASILONE, JOHN United States Marine Corps VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown DATE OF DEATH: 02/19/1945 DATE OF INTERMENT: 04/20/1948 BURIED AT: SECTION 12 SITE 384 ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. 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. My name is Ali Bardeguez, and I was wondering if maybe you had some insight to her upbringing? When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 3, 1940, after serving three years in the United States Army with duty in the Philippines. The Women Marines Association (WMA) Emergency Grants provide financial assistance to active duty or Veterans who are facing unexpected financial crises. I knew Lean briefly due to my dealings with the VA in Long Beach. I am a huge fan of him and his wife. To The Altamirano Family: Lena Basilone was a Marine who was in a league of her own.She along with another Medal Of Honor winners husband Terry Murphy the wife of Audie Murphy helped alot of veterans get what they needed from the Veterans Administration.To me the Basilones were both legendary heroes.My father and I were combat medics. 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. The top brass who gave the OK should be the ones to blame. Basilone, [] I ran into her at the Long beach veterans amdinisitration hospital and she helped through the bureaucratic maze and was with me the entire day,I have never forgottten her. My uncles in WW II served both in Europe and the Pacific. 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. 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. The U.S. Navy named a destroyer after him in 1945, which Lena Mae christened. With James Badge Dale, Joseph Mazzello, Jon Seda, Jon Bernthal. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! Thank you for your service as well as everyone who serves. Thanks Robin. I kind of figured Lenas headsone would not be in the location it was supposed to be. She one of a kind,who we may never see the likes of again. These Marines were the pioneers who created an Army I passed my torch unto as well as Marine Corps we have today. Thank God she had someone. Age: 86 (3/7/1913 - 6/11/1999) Lena Mae Basilone's Relationships (1) Check out our New "Top 10 Worst . Thats a hard thing to take, but she took it and carried on. They were only married 7 months when John fell in battle within 2-4 hours of hitting the beach. May 26, 2016 4:29 PM PT. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. I read the book Im staying with my boys. Within hours of landing on Iwo Jima, where he forcibly got his men up and off the beach, Basilone was killed by an enemy mortar round at age 27. She gave to his family to not be selfish and share. "My heart is full of both sadness and joy today," Imbese said after the ceremony. She is truely my hero as well as her husband. In 21 Dec 1945 Lena christened a Navy destroyer ship named the USS Basilone in her husband's honor. [2] He was the sixth of ten children. Please feel free to email me at Alison.bardeguez@usmc.mil. As far as a documentary for Lena and John Basilone ,the Pacific is the only one I know of. To my knowledge, Lena never had long hair and I dont think in those days it was allowed by the WMS. I wish i was around then. Basilone: Directed by David Nutter. Again, Lena Basilone was in a league of her own and very much ahead of her time. Although he appreciated the admiration, he felt out of place and requested to return to the operating forces fighting the war. Lena was the pioneer and was a very strong Non commissioned officer and ran a very good mess hall. Let us remember who they were and the ultimate sacrifice made for us all. 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. Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. 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. It has a cost, a soldiers life. I have never regret a moment of my 34 yrs of service. Came here because I just saw the 8th Episode of The Pacific. [9][10] As the battle went on, ammunition became critically low. Lena lost her husband within A few short months after their wedding . He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland. I guess being a diabetic with a full ankle replacement i would just be more of a problem for the military rather than a help. I know your comment is from many years ago, but I do hope this finds you well! She had a very strong love for Gy.Sgt John Basilone even though their marriage was short,it was a very strong one. The tickets are free but . Shirt sleeves rolled up and of course the regulation short hair in hairnets!! , Lena was a hero to me and so was John. Basilone died before he and his new wife had time to have children. Virginia Grey is now deceased. It was the only one standing as the 9th Division approached and crossed it. Barbara Garner. 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. Wendy 2003 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Jeannie Ashcroft 2004 Pagans: Elise Ashton 2004 National Treasure: Agent Dawes We will be running around all weekend for various events with the Commandant of the Marine Corps and of course multiple Iwo Jima survivors. I have been a combat veteran from the Vietnam era to Iraq. he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Explore John Basilone net worth, birthday, height, age, bio, salary, 2023! They were dumb animals who wanted . I think she was the most selfless person. It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. 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 never remarried. Regards, David, I still dont understand Lenas comment about not wanting to be a bother to anyone and NOT be buried near her husband to be quite strange. I have a flag and it has the names of family and friends named on it. But the cynicism did not last, and Lena and John married in the summer of 1944: Basilone was posthumously awarded the Marine Corps' second-highest decoration for valor, the Navy Cross, for extraordinary heroism during the battle of Iwo Jima. I missed the mini-series The Pacific so Im going to have to find a DVD. I too believe that a great degree of focus should have been given to Lena. Why did she not want to be buried with or near him? Uncompromising with her conversations. She helped get us through the system and see that our needs were met at the facility. Basilone fought. (reprinted by the John Basilone Stamp Campaign), John Basilone meets the Mayor of New York, Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 22:45, List of historically notable United States Marines, List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II, "Annual John Basilone Parade stirs feelings of patriotism, Jersey pride", "Four Distinguished Marines Saluted on U.S. Postage Stamps", United States Army Center of Military History, "Resort Style Senior Living | California Lutheran Homes | Carlsbad by the Sea", "The Story of Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Part 3", "Burial Detail: Basilone, John (Section 12, Grave 384) Birth Date: 11/04/1916; Death Date: 02/19/1945; Interment Date: 04/20/1948", "Raritan Public Library "Basilone Room"Gy/Sgt John Basilone ribbons", "SCR 25 Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Freeway", "company-c-fights-up-hill-battle-basilones-challenge", "Honoring One Marine To Remember Them All: WWII Hero Gets Plaque at Navy Memorial", "Raritan to honor its fallen son with 33rd Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade", "Raritan's World War II hero John Basilone inducted into NJ Hall of Fame", "JOHN BASILONE Historical Raritan (19161945)", Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, "John Basilone's Medal of Honor Ceremony remembered by Marine Sidney Phillips", United States Marine Corps History Division Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Biography, Medal of Honor Recipients Depicted in Film, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Basilone&oldid=1140815348, An entry point onto Camp Pendleton from US, US Interstate 5 from the San Diego County line to Camp Pendleton to the south is called "Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Highway", In 1944, Army Barracks from Washington state were moved to a site in front of. I am proud to call John and Lena. I would love to know if anyone knows of someone or is the person who knew Lena or even John or both while they served. My god she was a hero as well as her husband. John's wife, Lena, originally from Oregon, remained in California after John's death and never remarried. From her Find-A-Grave entry and her obituary: Lena Mae Riggi was born on March 7, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. And your efforts have been repaid many times over I am sure, by those who now know more about her. My intrest was to watch what my two Uncles had gone through as they were in all those battles amongst all the Marines. Thank you Barbara Garner for your detailed comments about the wonderful Lena, and how you tried to get her to agree to be buried near her husband.

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