He was offered a commission, which he turned down, and was later offered an assignment as an instructor, but refused this as well. Basilone's heroics include an attempt to relocate his heavy machine gun, still hot from the extended fire, burning his hands in the process. Leading his gunners up the steep black sand, Basilone and his unit were pinned down by enemy machine gun fire. Madly in love by all accounts from their time at Camp Pendleton, Lena and John would enjoy just seven months as husband and wife before John's fateful landing on Red Beach II of Iwo Jima in February 1945. Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The official account of Basilone's heroism at Iwo Jima states the first Marines landed on the beaches on February 19, 1945, with . If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Basilone himselfkilled at least 38 enemy soldiers, using the machine guns, his pistol, and even a machete. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. Raritans Augie Sena said in a 2004 interview that all a kid needed was a nickel and they could get on the trolley. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. All of them give different versions, but they agree that a mortar round killed John, which is the version found in written accounts. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Copyright 2000-2023 M2N Limited E. & O.E. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. . Sorry! Powered by Xenforo, Hosted by Nimbus Hosting, Original design Critical Media Ltd. Please reset your password. As he moved along the edge of the airfield, he was killed by Japanese mortar shrapnel (based on his research for the book and miniseries The Pacific, author Hugh Ambrose suggested that Basilone was killed by a burst of small arms fire which hit him in the right groin and neck and nearly took off his left arm). I'm Staying with My Boys: The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strongpoint and its defending garrison. GREAT NEWS! A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. He would settle in Raritan and meet Dora Bengivenga at a church dance. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Thus, when he returned to the States in 1937 and started working as a truck driver, it was not the life Basilone longed to leave, sohe enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 3, 1940 in hopes of returning to his beloved Philippines. Birthdate: 1922. The HBO miniseries' representation of this year-long action-lull in Basilone's military history is highly accurate, with the real Basilone also ascending to genuine celebrity status during the midpoint of the Second World War. Young Marines are taught the story of Basilone the World War II gunnery sergeant who fought at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, a hero killed in combat and awarded the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, Nov 4 1916 - Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA, Salvatore Basilone, Theodora Dora Basilone. Learn more about managing a memorial . There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Basilone had inspired his son who has reenlisted and come from a distance to participate in the parade and reenactment. John Basilone's last battle - Los Angeles Times On October 24, 1942, during the Battle for Henderson Field, his unit came under attack by a regiment of about 3,000 soldiers from the Japanese Sendai Division using machine guns, grenades, and mortars against the American heavy machine guns. What The Pacific's Actors Have Done Since The Miniseries Ended, The Pacific Cast Guide: What Each Character Looks Like In Real Life, the Pacific Theatre's most brutal battles, Band Of Brothers: What Happened To David Schwimmer's Sobel. After attending training, Basilone deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, the Solomon Islands and eventually to Guadalcanal where he held off 3,000 Japanese troops after his 15-member unit was reduced to two other men. Geni requires JavaScript! A Japanese regiment that numbered 3,000 men began to attack the small crews of Marines as they dug in for the night with grenades and mortar fire. In 1945, the U.S. Navy named a destroyer after Basilone, which his wife christened. [12] After the parade, Basilone toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. After driving trucks for a few months, he wanted to go back to Manila and believed he could get there faster as a Marine than in the Army. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. The Incredible Story of John Basilone, U.S. Marine As for local employment John Basilone had a couple of jobs. John Basilone, Medal of H. brother Phyllis Dorothy Basilone sister Mary Grace Basilone sister Angelo Basilone brother George / Giorgio Basilone brother 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 29 March 2023, at 14:39. The movie theatre was another popular place for kids to go to in Basilones youth. This school was St. Bernards Parochial School which was on Somerset Street. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Resend Activation Email. 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. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. The Pacific 's extended Iwo Jima scene stays very close to the true account of Basilone's sacrifice, with the famed Marine leading his 27th regiment into the thick of one of the Pacific Theatre's most brutal battles. Resend Activation Email. Whatever happened to house that the Basilone family lived in ? (reprinted by the John Basilone Stamp Campaign), John Basilone meets the Mayor of New York, 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=1147215474, 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. There was a trolley line that ran down Somerset Street. After having 5 children Sal and Dora temporarily moved away from Raritan to Buffalo. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. The real Basilone's request to re-join the Marines was denied at the end of 1943, with the Medal of Honor holder strictly told his newfound fame meant he was of greater importance to the home front than the physical war effort. He enlisted in the United States Army and completed his three-year enlistment with service in the Philippines, where he was a champion boxer. Verify and try again. John Basilone held off 3,000 Japanese troops at Guadalcanal after his 15-member unit was reduced to three men. Make sure that the file is a photo. This led to the swimming. At the edge of the airfield, Basilone was killed by Japanese mortar shrapnel, dying at the age of 28. However, in John's case, something got mixed up. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. If you arent aU.S. Marine, youve probably never heard the nameJohn Basilone before. Weve updated the security on the site. A system error has occurred. These three Marine stories inexorably become intertwined over the course of The Pacific's 10-episode run, with the trio's tales converging in the 5th Marine division. He also worked at Gaburos Laundry which was located in Raritan on Farrand Street. Their favorite spot in the river was two blocks west of where the Basilone Statue is today. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. It was a two-family home that was owned by Doras family. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. But he was a rowdy kid, so his parents decided to send him to Catholic school where the nuns might be able to provide him the discipline needed. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. He was born on March 4, 1922 in the Little Italy neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Leaving the lady in the lobby of the hotel, Basilone sees his brother, George, who hasn't been in combat yet. To compound the danger of kids playing outside without adult supervision back then was the fact that Raritan kids in the 1920s had access to transportation. 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. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? While living in Buffalo, on November 4th 1916, John was born. The Pacific's extended Iwo Jima scene stays very close to the true account of Basilone's sacrifice, with the famed Marine leading his 27th regiment into the thick of one of the Pacific Theatre's most brutal battles. He was in many ways a simple and ordinary young man, but he had at least one unusual ability, he could see into his own future. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. John went to that school until 8th grade when he graduated. Failed to report flower. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Carlo E. Basilone, 90, died Dec. 9, 2005. 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. His parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. The Basilones lived on one side of the house while a Bengivenga family lived on the other side. He never completely liked all the attention from receiving the Medal of Honor. Basilone's Navy Cross citation reads as follows: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to. 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. With his unit pinned down, Basilone made his way around the side of the Japanese positions until he was directly on top of the blockhouse. 1 Home Entertainment Tech Resource. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. France is victorious but at a great cost. John Basilone 65 years ago on the volcanic rock island of Iwo Jima. That was at times dangerous. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. While The Pacific's eighth episode somewhat glosses over the pair's romance in favor of moving forward with its penultimate scenes at Iwo Jima, their character's love story was as fleeting in real life, with The Pacific pair waiting just six months before tying the knotin Oceanside, California, on July 10, 1944. Basilone was sent to Camp Pendleton in California to complete additional training for combat in the Pacificwhere he ended up meeting his wife, a fellow Marine Sergeant named Lena Mae Riggi. As Basilone would note, Only part of this medal belongs to me. Johns brother Carlo explained in a 2003 interview that across from the Basilone home was an open field that served as their playground. John Basilone was referred to as the towns biggest soda drinker. Drag images here or select from your computer for CPL George William Basilone memorial. The Navy will again sail a destroyer honoring John Basilone, more than four decades after the first was decommissioned. They later married. I recently read The Pacific, the companion book to the HBO miniseries, written by Hugh Ambrose, historian, consultant to the mini series, and son of Stephen Ambrose. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Also preceding him in death were four sisters, Phyllis Cutter, Katherine Marino, Dolores Hawkins and Mary; and three other brothers, Angelo, Alphonse and George. Learn more about managing a memorial . Donald Basilone Obituary - MyCentralJersey Currently no marker or plaque exists on the location to commemorate that John Basilone lived there. Mr. Basilone lived in Raritan all his life and was a purchasing agent with Inmont Corp. in Bound Brook. J ohn Basilone was a man of extraordinary courage. Add to your scrapbook. Basilone managed to retrieve a heavy machine gun from under enemy control, despite these insurmountable odds and maintain fire on the Japanese position for almost 24 hours non-stop. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. By the end of the third day, Basilone had virtually annihilated the Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines almost single-handedly, whose valor earned him the Medal of Honor. This is a carousel with slides. His wife would never remarry and died at the age of 86 in 1999. Whatever happened to house that the Basilone family lived in ? [5] In the Army, Basilone was initially assigned to the 16th Infantry at Fort Jay, New York, before being discharged for a day, reenlisting, and being assigned to the 31st Infantry.[6][7]. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? That home was at the North-West corner of what is now Route 202 (and First Ave.) where the Shell Station is today. On Saturday, August 13, 2022, Donald - U.S. Marine Corps | Facebook The real events of Basilone's story at Guadalcanal are equally heroic, albeit slightly bloodier than shown in the HBO miniseries. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. The Corps sent him to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba for his next assignment and then to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands as a member of Dog Company 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division. Millions of Frenchmen have died in the war, the Spanish Flu is destroying. He also was a reservist with the Raritan Police Reserves. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Home cinema and gadget enthusiast, movie and TV fan, PC gamer and antitheist. The homecoming parade occurred on Sunday, September 19 and drew a huge crowd with thousands of people, including politicians, celebrities, and the national press. From August 1942 on, Basilone and his unit1st Battalion, 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Divisionwere tasked with fighting the Japanese deep in the jungles of Guadalcanal, one of the hundreds of islands that comprise the Solomons. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Modified: 05 Oct 2017. By the end of the engagement, the Japanese regiment was virtually annihilated. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? He was the only Marine to be awarded both The Medal Of Honor and The Navy Cross during World War II. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Naples in 1903 and settled in Raritan, New Jersey. Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. Death 29 Oct 1990 (aged 68) Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. The elder Mr. Basilone was a former member of the Sons of Italy and Somerville Elks Lodge 1068, located in Bridgewater. Sgt. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Death of GySgt. John Basilone, Medal of Honor at Iwo Burial of GySgt. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Iwo (AP), Nov 4 1916 - Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States, Feb 19 1945 - Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, Ogasawara, Japan, Salvatore " Sallie" Basilone, Theodora " Dora" Basilone (born Bengivenga). He guided the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite heavy weapons fire from the Japanese. 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 theVolcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. The Pacific: John Basilone - War Bonds Speech and Golf Scene (1080p) John Basilone held off 3,000 Japanese troops at Guadalcanal after his 15-member unit was reduced to three men. Most agree that he and several other Marines were killed by an artillery round that struck between them. [5][6] Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. location being labeled the bare ass beach. I'm Staying with My Boys: The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC Search above to list available cemeteries. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. He refused an opportunity to have President Franklin D. Roosevelt bestow the medal and instead opted to have the ceremony in the field with his unit. BASILONE'S sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Their favorite spot in the river was two blocks west of where the Basilone Statue is today. Verify and try again. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. John Basilone, Medal of Honor ; Phyllis Dorothy Basilone ; Mary Grace Basilone ; George / Giorgio Basilone ; Alfonso / Alphonse Basilone and 4 others ; Deloris Basilone ; Carlo Edward Basilone ; Katherine Basilone and Private less Although Jon Ceda's Basilone appears as a bastion of virtue and, in many ways, the ideal of American resolve and fortitude during World War II, his portrayal of the famed Gunnery Sergeant is right on the money. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Year should not be greater than current year. Basilone did indeed land on Guadalcanal with the 7th Marines,after which his unit came under attack by a regiment of about 3,000 soldiers from the Japanese Sendai Division. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? With the 115th pick, the Chicago Bears . He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. The official account of Basilone's heroism at Iwo Jima states the firstMarines landed on the beaches on February 19, 1945, with the Japanese concentrating their fire at the incoming Marines from heavily fortified positions. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Just before his 18th birthday, Basilone enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in thePhilippinesas an infantryman from 1934 to 1937. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. 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, 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, 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, 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, His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the. He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of theU.S. George J. Basilone, age 96, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 8, 2018, at Brookdale of Mentor. Brother of GySgt. The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. cemeteries found in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. John Basilone held off 3,000 Japanese troops at Guadalcanal after his 15-member unit was reduced to three men. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Made and Maintained by Yisela Alvarez Trentini, The Inter Allied Victory Medal (Great Britain), http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/johnbasi.htm, https://explorethearchive.com/john-basilone, The Incredible Story of John Basilone, U.S. Marine, The Tank Corps and Royal Tank Regiment: Their Medals and History WW1, WW2, Sergeant Stubby and Sergeant Reckless, Decorated Dog and Horse, The Maginot Line: A Defensive Barrier for World War II, Why Are People Awarded Medals? No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. This account has been disabled. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Letter from George Basilone (John's brother) to Lena Basilone from Iwo He would settle in Raritan and meet Dora Bengivenga at a church dance. John Basilone | Historica Wiki | Fandom HBO's dazzling miniseries The Pacific takes its narrative cues from real events, but how much of John Basilone's story really happened? To date, he's covered a wide range of TV and Film stories for Screen Rant, including delineating exactly why Gladiator 2 should never see the light of day, detailing numerous left-field fan theories, and reporting Netflix's ever-changing top 10 movies and TV shows each week. 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. This is all done automatically when you use a link and at no extra cost to you. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. John Basilone's story as told by The Pacific is a highly accurate and stirring one, with Basilone's actions and ultimate sacrifice becoming of the Pacific Theatre's most enduring stories to this day. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. View George W Basilone's memorial on Fold3. However, after being offered, and subsequently turning down, both a commission and a role as a military instructor, Basilone once again applied to re-enlist. Girls did not swim in the river for obvious reasons. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. After completing middle school at age 15, he dropped out prior to attending high school. 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 theUnited States Naval Service. 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.