Military units comprising the Defense CBRN Response Force (DCRF) participated in Exercis []. At that time women were not accepted in a mans world in the military at that time. I especially loved the story about Manila John and Sgt Lena! She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle. 70th Anniversary of the Death of John Basilone - Raritan Online I have written about Her for years, and a photograph of the current Headstone can be found at. Like my dad, he was in the tough battles of Europe as my uncle Norris was. Thank God she had someone. John Basilone's Grave. Lena never forgot us and took care of us. At 7 p.m. Sept. 17, the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band will present the free 27th John Basilone Commemorative Concert at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg. Although she was just. My uncle, A surgeon eventually took care off me and it worked good. It is the blood of John and those who served that binds the mortar of the foundation of the greatest nation ever! 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. God Bless Lena and John Basilone our heroes. Your email address will not be published. Women make the Marines the effective force they are today.Without Lena, this would not have occurred as easily. We are a better world because of them Regards, Doc. Thank you!!! She belongs at Arlington. Just watched the TV series The Pacific here in Cape Town, South Africa, during lockdown. Charles "Check" Tatum. She is in town for the Iwo Jima Reunion and Symposium and working on his documentary. . As long as we have a Navy, there should be a fighting ship honoring his name! Her spirit still lives on.. I met her sometime in 1986 when she visited our church and we became instant friends. Lena as a dear and precious friend of mine. I also had the chance to tell her about Sgt. This is where the television show concludes and unfortunately for curious viewers, the show apparently did not include any follow-up information about John Basilones widow. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. Death and burial ground of Basilone, John, "Manila John". Again, Lena Basilone was in a league of her own and very much ahead of her time. 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. 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. Peter J. Basilone, register of wills for Baltimore County and a former state legislator, died Thursday of liver cancer at his Towson residence. We spoke once, I am Lena Riggi BAsilones niece, Lost your number in Computer world of storms. I caught the tail end of it when we had to get our ADA missiles out of there. Its a warm joy to read the postings here. Came here because I just saw the 8th Episode of The Pacific. Her love and bond so strong that she stayed single over 50 years. The war was shortend by what they did. And I hope that in some small way I brought joy to her life, I know she enriched mine ! They were dumb animals who wanted . . The lady was happy to know that Lena was also a Portland Marine. To me as I have said before was a legend of her own in the Marine Corps. I have learned about what my dad and other Marines did through other Marines and Soldiers.who served with him. 2023.03.03 20:19 bolavitaslots BolavitaSlot Daftar Situs Slots Deposit Bank Lampung No.1 Indonesia When he requested again to return to the war, the request was approved. Oh, my, it must have been terrible for her. I served as a medic for most of Army career of 33 1/2 yrs and would not have missed it for the world. I have stayed to true to taking care of the troops as a medic. Sgt. John Basilone: Marine Hero of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima Ric, thank you for pointing out Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. I didnt realize that! Who was John Basilone? - Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute I found that the combatants descended into a savage war the like I hope we never see again. That she and Gunnery Sgt. The Basilone Family and Raritan Learns of John's Death. This is an extraordinary piece of History. The top brass who gave the OK should be the ones to blame. She always did things that were bigger than herself. I am proud to be a citizen from the same country, USA, as these two remarkable people and salute their service and sacrifices. If a couple should ever be in Heaven its them. . Date of Death : February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima Airport / Iohjima Airport / Iohtoh Airport, Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan : Place of Birth : Buffalo : Country: . They are Medal of Honor RECIPIENTS. His arrival was highly publicized, and his hometown held a parade in his honor when he returned. Died February 19, 1945, Iwo Jima, Japan Spouse Lena Mae . As in most documentary/films some of the scenes and portrails of Lena were not quite right. Another USS John Basilone is 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. During her participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, US Marine Medal of Honor recipient, who was later killed on Iwo Jima. I appreciate Barbara Garners knowledge of Lena because I think she is a daughter to Lena. Lena was a person who lived life with a low profile and she was laid to rest in Riverside countys VA cemetery. I knew of only one other like her,Terry Murphy Audie Murphys wife.,he died in 1971. Highest Regards,SSG Rick Doc Borenstein, Thank you Barbara for your kind words. One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient. He along with many Marines fought like tigercats on that island.Eugene Sledge,Robert Leckie,and RV Burgin were heroes of that island .I too took part during the Vietnam era in combat in Korea(limited basis),Desert Storm,Bosnia(peacekeeper)and Iraq.The war of my father and the Marines was a much more intense combat.Those men rose to the occassion espeically John Basilone at Guadalcanal. They got the part absolutely right about Lena totally ignoring Johnny when they first met. John taught me to lead my medics well and to take care of them as he did his Marines. Megan, I met Lena long after she served in the USMC. Japan lost a key advantage of giving 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. To me John was a legend whose legacy will not be matched for a long time. John Basilone - National Medal of Honor Museum The Greatest Generation. the Germans set the charges of explosives off but they failed. My dad and I were medics, My dad fought alongside the Marines as an Army medic.He saw battle in the Marshall,Marianas islands and Peleliu.We looked like the infantry,because we carried rifles,and other weapons as we needed to protect our selves as well as patients. I served 33 1/2 years from the Vietnam Era to Iraq.. Basilone met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. Barbara Garner was a genuine daughter and family member to her. He rarely talked about WW2 like a lot of other vets. I think this battlespooked him. John Basilone's relationship with Lena Mae Basilone ended when John Basilone died on February 19, 1945. 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. Lena was the same kind of a Marine too. Virginia Grey Entertainment - Actress Why Famous: Hullabaloo, film Age: 87 (3/22/1917 - 7/31/2004) Virginia Grey's Relationships (3) John Basilone Other - Other Why Famous: Recipient of Medal of Honor for Battle of Guadalcanal 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. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. Chuck Tatum who survived Iwo Jima. 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. I hope in some small measure I brought honor to Lena. A colossal critical and commercial failure, it essentially marked the end of Hunter's career as a major Hollywood player. This is probably why it occurred. Ssg Rick Doc Borenstein (Ret) Combat Medic.As we come to remember our fallen comrades which includes Johe Basilone Jr. Vera.and Msg Lena Basilone, I take pride in theilives and their leadership as USMC NCOs. Coffee or Die Magazine | 'I'm Staying With My Boys' A Glimpse into I tried your church and they had nothing and various places and people in Ca,You were so important to Aunt Lena. 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. Lena Riggi | The Pacific Wiki | Fandom Gracias, amiga! However, in John's case, something got mixed up. John Basilone Quotes | KnowQuotes.com United States Government. I stop by Lenas grave every holiday Me and my Wife Debbie put flowers and a flag on her grave. I am proud to speak to a member of John and Lenas family, Hi Vera, are you a relative of SGT Basilone? My biggest campaigns was Korea in the 70s, Desert Storm,(2 tours) Bosnia, and Iraq. [8] After driving trucks for a few years, he wanted to go back to Manila and believed he could get there faster by serving in the Marine Corps rather than in the Army. It had a few details that were not accurate and you were correct. GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the next few days. I agree, Lena was a loyal wife to a great Marine! John Basilone | Historica Wiki | Fandom While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. For his selfless dedication to his country, John was awarded the Purple Heart and Nary Cross posthumously. Robin: Ask Barbara About what Lena said I dont want to bother anyone because she was like a daughter to Lena. 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 am finding this is a need especially this last Friday when a retired E7 took his daughters and himself in a homicide.-suicide. Born in Buffalo, New York, on 4 November 1916, he went to St. Bernard Parochial School in Raritan and enlisted in the Army at the age of 18. This may include medical bills, eviction notices, or other relevant documents. At least 38 dead Japanese were credited to Sergeant Basilone -- many were killed with his Colt .45 at almost arms length. Hi, your very lucky to have known Lena Basilone. She remained active with the Women's Marine Association and died in June 1999 at 86 years of age. She is one of the marines who made the corps what it is today. John Basilone - Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Bio, Birthday, Wiki! Lena was a pioneer Marine and very dedicated both to the Corps and to John. Medal of Honor Recipients - MCA He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. Lena did not have John very long, in fact 7 months. The Life and Death of . I am not the Richard who posted this excellent comment. Lena and John fall in love and were married on July 10, 1944. Lena was a legend as was John.Lena helped a lot of vets at the VA navigate the system and get what they needed. They will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters who willingly served this Country when she called. JOHN BASILONE OBITUARY. 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 [9][10] As the battle went on, ammunition became critically low. Lena served an important role though,giving the soldier good chow was a morale booster.