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. They later married. Sgt. In The Pacific part 2, "Basilone," John Basilone and the 7th Marines land on Guadalcanal to bolster the defenses around Henderson Field on the Solomon Islands. (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. Naval Service.[11]. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. I also sometimes get commissions for purchases made through links in the posts. He was offered a commission, which he turned down, and was later offered an assignment as an instructor, but refused this as well. This browser does not support getting your location. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. (Yes those things do cost money easy to write about yet hard to find a donor.). A Shell Station remains there today. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? With all marines dressed alike and with all marines in extremis at that moment, it is possible that their memories have been clouded by the fog of war. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. If you arent aU.S. Marine, youve probably never heard the nameJohn Basilone before. We have set your language to This laundry pickup and delivery service served the surrounding towns. He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. The Marine Corps denied his request and told him he was needed more on the home front. Their favorite spot in the river was two blocks west of where the Basilone Statue is today. It was no big deal and very common for young kids to walk to Somerville alone. 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. Coming Up On TV - December 08 / Jan 09 Christmas Special. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Born onNovember 4, 1916 in Ruritan, New Jersey, Basilone was the six of ten children in an Italian family and would grow up as a tough young man. Basilone's parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. [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. To use this feature, use a newer browser. At Iwo Jima he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse, allowing his unit to capture an airfield. Alfonso / Alphonse Basilone (1920 - 1998) - Genealogy There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Year should not be greater than current year. George William Basilone 1922 . On Saturday, August 13, 2022, Donald - U.S. Marine Corps | Facebook The Marines successfully held off the attack until one gun crew was disabled by enemy fire. The Basilone Family and Raritan Learns of John's Death. Navy to Christen Guided-Missile Destroyer John Basilone 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. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. 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. He was a member of the John Basilone Parade Committee honoring his late brother, the Marine Corps sergeant from Raritan who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Un-veiling of the Basilone Statue BASILONE'S sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Basilone was born in his Italian American parents' home on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. Manion is the president of the Travis Manion Foundation, named for her brother who was killed in action in Iraq. graduate of UEL, Charles spent several years in corporate analytics roles before committing to pursuing editing full time. Basilone's mother, Theadora Bencivenga, was born in 1889 and grew up in Manville, New Jersey, but her parents, Carlo and Catrina, also came from Benevento. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. The trolley could take you to Somerville, Bound Brook or even further. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. 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. I'm Staying with My Boys Johns brother Carlo explained in a 2003 interview that across from the Basilone home was an open field that served as their playground. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. The Pacific: How Much Of John Basilone's Story Really Happened (That had opened in 1911 and is still open today.) To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. 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. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. 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. So, on a hot summer day John and dozens of other boys would swim in the Raritan River. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. He was in a good emplacement, and causing the Japanese lots of trouble, not only firing his machine gun, but also using his pistol."[8]. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Search above to list available cemeteries. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? He then repaired and manned another machine gun, holding the defensive line until relief arrived. 70th Anniversary of the Death of John Basilone [21] His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died on June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. I belong back with my outfit.. His mother, Dora Bencivenga, was born in 1889 and grew up in Manville, but her parents, Carlo and Catrina also came from Naples. He had just helped destroy an enemy blockhouse before he was hit by a mortar shell. Basilone Medical File, "Abstract of Medial History", February 19, 1945, Basilone USMC Personnel File. Undeterred, Basilone used his bare hands to remove the barrel of his machine gun and take out an entire wave of Japanese soldiers during the height of the battle even thoughhe burned his hands and arms in the process. It may not display this or other websites correctly. There was an error deleting this problem. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. With the 115th pick, the Chicago Bears . He enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 3, 1940, after serving three years in the United States Army with duty in the Philippines. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. His sisters Mary, Katherine, Dolores, and. Failed to report flower. The homecoming parade occurred on Sunday, September 19, 1943, and drew a huge crowd with thousands of people, including politicians, celebrities and the national press. This account has been disabled. Burial. Horses,elephants andcamels have in the, World War I has just ended. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. From fending off swathes of Japanese soldiers with just a machete at the battle forGuadalcanal to charging on foot with the Marine tank divisions at Iwo Jima, Basilone's tale is a highly stirring one. 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. In the summer months he was a caddy at the Raritan Valley Country Club. On July 3, 1944, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps. Guest Contributor:Rachel Basingeris a former history teacher turned freelance writer and editor. based on information from your browser. HBO's dazzling miniseries The Pacific takes its narrative cues from real events, but how much of John Basilone's story really happened? Europe's busiest forums, with independent news and expert reviews, for TVs, Home Cinema, Hi-Fi, Movies, Gaming, Tech and more. The movie theatre was another popular place for kids to go to in Basilones youth. He left for Camp Pendleton, California, for training on December 27, 1943. A B.A. It was open 1888-1938. He's also adamant Revenge of the Sith is the best Star Wars movie out there - which he consistently gets flak for. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia and his grave can be found in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. Saint Bernard Cemetery and Mausoleum. Surviving are a son, John and wife Reenie of Raritan; a daughter, Carolyn Basilone Barrow and husband Maxwell of Tewksbury; a brother, Donald and wife Jean of Florida; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Angelo Basilone (1910 - 2002) - Genealogy Johns brother Carlo explained in a 2003 interview that across from the Basilone home was an open field that served as their playground. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. The family soon came back to Raritan and in a few years moved in at 113 First Avenue. Letter from George Basilone (John's brother) to Lena Basilone from Iwo Jima, March 8, 1945 _____ Letter from George Basilone (John's brother) to Lena Basilone George asks his hero brother if he was scared while fighting the enemy in. 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. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70651098/carlo-edward-basilone. Basilone sprints out of cover and guides the first tanks out of the minefield, enabling the American forces' advance to continue to the edge of Airfield Number 1. Brother of GySgt. After the parade, he toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. 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. Then Catherine Mastice sang Manila John, just as she had done before on John Basilone Day on September 19th, 1943. 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. Death of GySgt. CPL George William Basilone (1922-1990) - Find a So, in this article we take a look at John Basilone when he was growing up in Raritan in the 1920s and early 1930s. Basilone himselfkilled at least 38 enemy soldiers, using the machine guns, his pistol, and even a machete. Failed to delete flower. The Pacific: John Basilone - War Bonds Speech and Golf Scene (1080p) cemeteries found in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. In her free time, Rachel is a voracious reader and is a runner who completed her first half marathon in May 2019. 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. Discover and add pictures, bio information and documents about the life of George W Basilone. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring. 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 Spurred on by Basilone's bravery, the 27th regiment fought toward Iwo Jima'sAirfield Number 1 before becoming entrenched in the center of the day's bloodiest fighting. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machineguns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. He would settle in Raritan and meet Dora Bengivenga at a church dance. It was open for decades around 1918-1968. Home cinema and gadget enthusiast, movie and TV fan, PC gamer and antitheist. For his actions during this battle, he received the United States military's highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Carlo Basilone (70651098)? When the last of the ammunition ran out shortly before dawn on the second day, Basilone, using his pistol and a machete, held off the Japanese soldiers attacking his position. 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, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. He would settle in Raritan and meet Dora Bengivenga at a church dance. The Italian Bakery is there today. The two would wed on July 10, 1944. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. For his brave actions during the invasion, Basilone would posthumously receive thePurple Heartand theNavy Cross, becoming the only enlisted Marine in World War II to earn the Navy Cross posthumously. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? They later married. Learn more about merges. 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. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. As for local employment John Basilone had a couple of jobs. Parents Salvatore and Theadora Basilone had 10 children, Donald being the youngest. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. The Basilones lived on one side of the house while a Bengivenga family lived on the other side. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. George / Giorgio Basilone. Since most boys did not have a bathing suit they swam naked. Time stopped for Marine Gunnery Sgt. He enlisted in the United States Army and completed his three-year enlistment with service in the Philippines, where he was a champion boxer. In Somerville there were two more theatres The Regent Theatre and The Cort Theatre. Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. There are two accounts of exactly how he died. While Sledge and Leckie both struggle to adapt to their respective baptisms of fire in The Pacific's theatre of war, John Basilone's (Jon Seda) heroism lights up the miniseries' early episodes in stark contrast to his compatriots. John Basilones Citation for his Congressional Medal of Honor (Guadalcanal): John Basilones Citation for his Navy Cross (Iwo Jima): For a total of three days,Basilone ran back and forth between gun pits, supplying ammunition and assisting the junior Marines. His brothers Al, George, Carlo, and Angelo. You can find Basilones grave in Section 12, Grave 384 in Arlington National Cemetery. Failed to delete memorial. arino (born Basilone), Mary Grace Basilone, Carlo Edward Basilone, Alphonse Francis Basilone, Giorgio W. " George" Basilone, Dolores Hawk Nov 4 1916 - Buffalo, Erie County, New York, USA, Salvatore Basilone, Theodora Basilone (born Bengivenga), Minnie Basiloni, Angelo Carlo Basilone, Carlo Edward Basilone, Minnie Basiloni, Angelo Carlo Basilone, Katherine Basiloni, Mary Basiloni, Carlo "charles" Edward Basilone, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States, Birth of GySgt. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. First premiered onMarch 14, 2010, The Pacific acts as a rousingcompanion piece to HBO'sBand of Brothers, instead focussingon the United States Marine Corps's actions in the Pacific Theater of Operations within the wider Pacific War of World War II. 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. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Created: 03 Sep 2008. [4], Basilone enlisted in the United States Army in July 1934[4] and completed his three-year enlistment with service in the Philippines, where he was a champion boxer. Brother of Angelo Basilone; Alfonso / Alphonse Basilone; Deloris Basilone; George / Giorgio Basilone; Mary Grace Basilone and 4 others; Phyllis Dorothy Basilone; Carlo Edward Basilone; Katherine Basilone and Private less. Written by Laurence Andries, Bruce C. McKenna Directed by Bruce C. McKenna Basilone, "The Hero of Guadalcanal," continues on the bond drive tour with beautiful starlet Virginia Grey. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. 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. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Letter from George Basilone (John's brother) to Lena Basilone from Iwo John Basilone, Medal of Honor at Iwo Burial of GySgt. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Basilone's sections, with its guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Camp Pendleton honors Basilone with new Naval destroyer named after war There are no volunteers for this cemetery. BASILONE, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. 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. This led to the swimming John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. While living in Buffalo, on November 4th 1916, John was born. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. He was deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, and in August 1942, he took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. Here's how much of The Pacific's John Basilone story really happened, as well as more detail onthe true events that shaped his legendary military career. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. [12] After the parade, Basilone toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. [20], He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. Basilone was born in his home on November 4, 1916 in Buffalo, New York, the sixth of 10 children. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. His arrival was highly publicized and his hometown held a parade in his honor when he returned. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. By the time reinforcements arrived for the Marines, Basilone and his gun crews had thwarted the entire Japanese regiment, but at great cost: only Basilone and two other Marines were left standing. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. The two-family house, once occupied on one side by the Basilones and the other side by the Bengivengas, was inherited by the Bengivenga family. A handful of accounts claim that Basilone was killed by machine gun fire. Basilone commanded two sections of machine guns which fought for the next two days until only Basilone and two other Marines were left standing. 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. After his request to return to the fleet was approved, Basilone was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. At the edge of the airfield, Basilone was killed by Japanese mortar shrapnel, dying at the age of 28. . 0 cemeteries found in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. Weve updated the security on the site. 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. On October 24, 1942, Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine guns, grenades, and mortars against the American heavy machine guns. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. 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. View Count: 10,046 (Recent: 35) John is the baby on the chair John's father Salvatore Basilone came to this country from Italy in 1903 when he was just 19.