I could not serve in the USMC which was one of my ambitions, family members were in units I wanted to join, I settled for the Army and do not regret any of my service of 33 1/2.yrs.My dad was in the Pacific with the Marines including the Guam and Peleliu campaigns. I think the I dont want to be a bother remark reflected the reported poor treatment she received from Basilones family. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing . If possible I would like to speak with you about setting up an introduction so that his niece can speak with you. You were lucky to get to know her, even a little! 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. Thank You David. [20], He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. Widowed Unfortunately, Basilone was killed in action on Iwo Jima. All that being said THANK YOU for your service and I am truly happy and grateful that you returned home, MAY GOD BLESS YOU and your family. He then fought his way toward Airfield Number 1 and aided a Marine tank that was trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages. Thats a hard thing to take, but she took it and carried on. News of John's death, which had occurred on February 19th, 1945, did not reach home until March 8th, 1945, a Thursday. At that time women were not accepted in a mans world in the military at that time. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of John R Basilone to pay them a last tribute. He was the only Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II. Lena was the same kind of a Marine too. Although she was just. I think my Fathers generation were legends. Having Served 21 years of Active Duty from 1970 to 1992. My dad was in the Pacific on Guam, the Marshalls and Peleliu. My father was on Peleiliu as a medic and thats what I think spooked him and he finished the war in Hawaii. They were dumb animals who wanted . Basilone so deeply loved only makes that respect more profound. Another USS John Basilone is scheduled for commission in 2019. I think this battlespooked him. 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. From what I have learned about her from you and others Lena was a very independent woman. It's simply . I am at least a 3rd generation medic. She even said when you had the best,who wants the rest especially after John was killed at Iwo Jima. As she moved into her 80s, health issues began to crop up. Lena always had her wallet full of Johnnys pictures. Thank You Robin, Hi Robin and Barbara:I was recently out to my old home at Anaheim. Women Marines are such an important part of the Marine Corps. These Marines were the pioneers who created an Army I passed my torch unto as well as Marine Corps we have today. She responded that she had served as a Marine in the early 70s. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. Gotta gp get em.,during a hail of gunfire.Later in other conflicts it was knowledge I definitely needed and used, as it save my life. If you call any of them a winner you are disgracing the recipients and those who died earning it. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. Virginia Grey is now deceased. 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. You truley were a good friend to her. Women make the Marines the effective force they are today.Without Lena, this would not have occurred as easily. While the Marines landed, the Japanese concentrated their fire at the incoming Marines from heavily fortified blockhouses staged throughout the island. She deserves it all! She was every bit a Marine which I would follow anywhere. My biggest campaigns was Korea in the 70s, Desert Storm,(2 tours) Bosnia, and Iraq. I would think she should be buried beside John Basilone., I think Arlington has different requirements from other cemeteries. Through smoke and screaming and the crush of mortar fire, John Basilone never faltered. Thank you for your insights. They were only married 7 months when John fell in battle within 2-4 hours of hitting the beach. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! Representing The Fewer & ProuderGenerations of Service, SSG Richard"Rick"Doc" Borenstein,Medic Retired, ssg rick "doc " borenstein ret. To me John was a legend whose legacy will not be matched for a long time. She was as fun, compassionate and loving as she was tough. The U.S. Navy named a destroyer after him in 1945, which Lena Mae christened. So now Im just stoked and really want to learn more and perhaps write a book about her. [22], Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's military awards include:[23]. I served until 2007 and retired.I was both an aviation medic and ground medic. He is one of the reasons why I joined the Marine Corp! 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. Each time his visions came to pass - including the last - foretelling his death. Regards,Doc, Robin: I second a lot of Pauls comments. 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. 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. But she always contended it would be too much trouble. Lena Basilone teachs me a lot even after she is gone from our presence. Famous Hookups; Nav; Celebrities. 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. I pray for all of them. 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. The were either Green Berets or medics, a supply clerk and even grunts. If so where can I find it. In my mind from what I have learned about Peleiu it was a blood affair on both sides. 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. Lena was a pioneer and an example many Marines can follow, I forgot to comment on you father. Female Marines serve in any occupational field except combat infantry, artillery or armor. I salute her, Ms. Garner: I saw the PACIFIC documentary. Date of Death : February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima Airport / Iohjima Airport / Iohtoh Airport, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan : Place of Birth : Buffalo : Country: . Thank you for your comments.My father and your fathers dedicated service in the Pacific will not be forgotten by me.The Basilones John and Lena were legends. It has a cost, a soldiers life. It had a few details that were not accurate and you were correct. A colossal critical and commercial failure, it essentially marked the end of Hunter's career as a major Hollywood player. But he was very persistent !! May 10, 2013!! She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle. My father was in the Pacific with the 32nd and 81st. She was the official sponsor of the destroyer named after him, the USS Basilone, and she participated in its christening ceremony: Sergeant Lena Mae Basilone, USMC(WR), ships sponsor, prepares to christen the destroyer, at the Consolidated Steel Company Shipyard, Orange, Texas, on 21 December 1945. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 -- her 32nd birthday. May they unit in heaven & continue their love story forever, Its the women our lives that makes coming home worth it. The lady was happy to know that Lena was also a Portland Marine. 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. His love for her was her memorial. For his selfless dedication to his country, John was awarded the Purple Heart and Nary Cross posthumously. They were married at St. Mary's Star of the Sea . I found your blog by chance and thoroughly enjoyed this article about Lena. Jesse:Do not ever feel disappointed that you could not serve.We volunteered as did the Basilones. I had members of my family who served in the USMC and some were on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Hi Sabrina, did you ever write about Sgt Lena Basilone? Died February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima, Japan Spouse Lena Mae . The war was shortend by what they did. My mother married my father in 43 during the war and she constantly worried about him until he came. I think it is what spooked him from combat. Though the battle was fierce and the Marines' defensive positions were being barraged, Sgt. I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. After his request to return to the fleet was approved, Basilone was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. Many airmens lives were saved as a result because fighter escort was there too to shepard the bombers that went to Japan. GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the next few days. Although she was just. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring. While you and your familys service is gratefuly appreciated, as a vietnam vet I have never talked or disscused voluntarily my service time as much as you seem to be inclined to do. 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. Lena never remarried. The military's standard procedure is to notify the family before the media. This saved innumerable lives.John and Lena Basilones were legends.they contributed mightily to our victory inthe Pacific. His five older siblings were born in Raritan, New Jersey, before the family moved to Buffalo where John was born; they returned to Raritan in 1918. Thank you? 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. . The young people in our church adored her even though she was tough with them. With James Badge Dale, Joseph Mazzello, Jon Seda, Jon Bernthal. She loved him very much. strips, they finally agreed to put Sgt.on her grave marker. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines had been virtually annihilated. He was 78. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. 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. I served from Dec 73 to Jun 2007 in the Army and Air Force. I just have very much respect for both John and Lena for making the personal sacrifice, and for John making the ultimate sacrifice. John Basilone was born to be a United States Marine. SSG.RickDoc: I completed 33 yrs of service to the US Army.My uncles and cousins have been Marines. 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. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. SSG RickDoc Borenstein US Army (Ret). He guided the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite heavy weapons fire from the Japanese. 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. HBO did a wonderful job and I wish to see more great documentarylike shows that can bring history to life. Basilone, a member of the U.S. Marines, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action . He rarely talked about WW2 like a lot of other vets. Basilone was born in his Italian American parents' home on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. Lena was raised in my hometown of Portland, OR. Lena Basilone returns her late husband's Medal of Honor to his family.From HBO's "The Pacific", episode 10 of 10. Lena lives within a lot of us,sons of Pacific veterans and contemporary Marines and soldiers.Regards,SSG Rick ,Doc Borenstein, Hello Mrs. Barbara Garner, are an Italian lady and my name is Stella. "If the Japanese force got through Basilone . Larry, Thanks for doing what you are doing this. Leatherneck November 1988. I lost some high school buddies that went to Nam as well some in later conflicts. [12] After the parade, Basilone toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. If any of you served with or knew Lena please let me know. The other person that helped vets in the LA area was Audie L Murphys wife, Terry. 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. Thanks Robin. On December 8, 1941, she went to go shopping. He was sent home to sell. He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. DocBorenstein Lena loved her volunteer work at the VA Hospital in Long Beach. He went to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River. Take care, SSG RickDoc Borenstein,US Army Medical Dept, (ret). That she and Gunnery Sgt. But the cynicism did not last, and Lena and John married in the summer of 1944: I was with her as she drew her last labored breath in the ER after weeks of trying to recover from the surgery. My uncles are marine and Navy vets as well as my two brothers who are Marines. : My dad was the same way even though. Robin: Ask Barbara About what Lena said I dont want to bother anyone because she was like a daughter to Lena. When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. I love reading everything about ww2 and the greatest generation. I am amazed that they kept their mental sanity, but did suffer from PTSD as I do. Lets just say Ive become officially obsessed with the story. We did our jobs and what were asked to do. 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. Im such a fan my brother bought me a John Basilone t shirt. After completing middle school at age 15, he dropped out prior to attending high school. 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. GOD bless you, and thank you for evidently just being you. I too believe that a great degree of focus should have been given to Lena. I wish I had an opportunity to know her more closely. Their bomber was called Cabin In the sky. The story is woven with surprising personal details. The Greatest Generation. I am finding this is a need especially this last Friday when a retired E7 took his daughters and himself in a homicide.-suicide. John Basilone was not only a good machine gun platoon sergeant, He knew how to use machine guns,maintain them and teach others to do the same, like Steve Evenson who fell on Iwo Jima and his buddy They finally agreed to wife of Sgt.John Basilone. Her spirit still lives on.. Today, the Women's Reserve is no more. If the name does not sound familiar, you may recognize her married name: Basilone. Its great to learn more about the people behind the name. Hello All: He served as a medic like I did and later became a doctor. I just had a question, was she close to his family after he passed? Lena was the pioneer and was a very strong Non commissioned officer and ran a very good mess hall. to me it was a tough and frustrating war in many ways. My uncles Dwight, Gil and Corky fought on Iwo. 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 . I am proud to be a citizen from the same country, USA, as these two remarkable people and salute their service and sacrifices. So these male Marines of today who want to diss on women in the Corps need to be quiet. I think she was the most selfless person. Not long after their wedding he shipped out to Iwo Jima and in February of 1945 he was killed in battle. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. I have never regret a moment of my 34 yrs of service. Oh, my, it must have been terrible for her. they have only received veterans status within the last 15-20 years. [17][18][19], His actions helped Marines penetrate the Japanese defense and get off the landing beach during the critical early stages of the invasion. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. I do not think man will ever exorcise the demons of war.I dont feel that the future holds a lot encouraging movement for ridding us of war. Though a miniseries of its own, The Pacific was created as a companion to another popular wartime miniseries by HBO: Band of Brothers, which premiered in 2001 and focused on World War II.The Pacific presents the stories of three U.S. Marine Corps members - Eugene Sledge, Robert Leckie, and John Basilone - and their experiences in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the Pacific War. They had been married for 7.3 months. Such a self-effacing woman she must have been, all the while doing so much good for others! Please call me and send your number. 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. Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. Legacy. I think you went through a tougher ringer than I did with exception for Iraq. She always did things that were bigger than herself. She made an effort to reconcile with them after the war when she visited and presented to the family Johns Medal of Honor. The Marines and Army suffered over 10000 casualities.. It seems her Upgrade to Sgt . 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. I always signed in as herdaughter, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. Lena received a telegram and went back to the beach, mourning him. Lena Basilone and the Women Marines. Are their any other books about him? This is an extraordinary piece of History. I am affiliated with many WWII and Viet Nam vets and we never talk about what happened over there as much as you have on this forum. She is my hero. Although she was just. God Bless Lena and John Basilone our heroes. Johnny was definitely the love of her life! In fact if you talk to many who are still alive they will tell you they do not enjoy having that reminder but they respect the award and that is that. Her love and bond so strong that she stayed single over 50 years. Marine Sergeant Lena Basilone was the wife of Medal of Honor winner John Basilone. She was buried at Riverside National Cemetary at her request. Fortunately, I have known a lot of Lenas who I served with. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesnt engage n again for a while. 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 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. Thank you!!! So Ive been doing some research of my own. I hope in some small measure I brought honor to Lena. I am a huge fan of hers and her husband. Hi Vera: I am pleased to read your post. She helped a lot of vets navigate the system at LAs VA. To me as I have said before was a legend of her own in the Marine Corps. (Thats my VietNam). It was so sad that they never got to spend their lives together. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. The John Basilone Memorial Parade is the only parade in the country honoring a World War II hero. 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. 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 know in the movie she went to visit his parents. Ive watched the HBO series several times. Medal of Honor citation. I am proud to speak to a member of John and Lenas family, Hi Vera, are you a relative of SGT Basilone? I have learned about what my dad and other Marines did through other Marines and Soldiers.who served with him. I loved the movie Pacific and i felt horrible when he died so young after they were married. Regards, SSg Rick Doc Borenstein ret, US Army Medical Dept. As I have grown up and I served many others became my family when I lost my dad to cancer.They filled in as role models and kept on the right path. One of her few, if not only, public appearances after Johns death was about nine months after he died. I was a medic to engineers when I was in the National Guards and Engineers are over overbearing about safety. What was the most moving person I had found was that of Lena.