Who was Sergeant John Basilone?His wife, his family, how did he die?

Some become heroes on a field of grass, using their passion and talent to etch everlasting memories into the hearts of millions, writing their names in the history books as legends.Others choose the battlefield, fighting for the freedom of millions and ready to lay down their lives so that others can live fulfilling lives.Sgt.John Basilone

Some become heroes on a field of grass, using their passion and talent to etch everlasting memories into the hearts of millions, writing their names in the history books as legends. Others choose the battlefield, fighting for the freedom of millions and ready to lay down their lives so that others can live fulfilling lives. Sgt. John Basilone is one of many great men who chose the battlefield and etched their name in history as heroes. Learn more about him.

Who was Sergeant John Basilone?

Sgt. John Basilone was born in Buffalo, New York, as the sixth child of ten children. Of Italian descent, her father, Salvatore Basilone, is said to have moved from Colle Sannita, Benevento, Italy to the United States in 1930. Unlike her father, her mother was born in Manville, New Jersey in 1889. She was also raised town.

According to various records, John Basilone was raised in Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey. This is where his father settled after his emigration. In Raritan, John attended St. Bernard Parish School. He left school as soon as he finished middle school and started working as a caddy before joining the army.

It was in July 1934 that John enlisted in the United States Army. Having served in Manila, Philippines, he was reportedly enlisted for three years. Along with serving his country in the Philippines, John also developed a passion for boxing and eventually became a champion boxer. Returning home after being discharged from active duty, the boxer became a truck driver, but his new job gave him no satisfaction and he soon began to harbor a desire to return to Manila. To achieve this, he joined the marines. It was 1940. But then joining the Marines did not fulfill his wish to return to Manila as he was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and then to Guadalcanal.

Among other things, Sgt. John Basilone is famous for the courage he displayed on Guadalcanal in October 1942 when his unit was attacked by Japanese fighters. History has shown that the Japanese forces’ frontal attack on the Americans left only Sgt. John Basilone and two other Marines in the section he commanded. Even though he was out of ammunition, he used his pistol and a machete to fight off the Japanese forces attacking his unit. While able to resist the Japanese forces, Basilone received the Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the United States military.

His return to the United States was celebrated and highly publicized. He became a celebrity and used his status to raise money for the war. However, despite his appreciation for the admiration he received, he wanted to be on the battlefield. From what we have learned, the Marine Corps has refused several requests to be returned to the battlefield. In December 1943, John’s persistent request was approved, and in July 1944 he was re-enlisted in the Marine Corps. Unfortunately, he died on February 19, 1945 on the battlefield.

Predictably, Sgt. John Basilone was honored with several military and public awards. His time in the military was also the subject of various media projects.

His wife and family

Sgt. John Basilone met the woman (Lena Mae Riggi) he would later become his life partner with while at Camp Pendleton. Afterwards, Lena also served as a sergeant in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve.

As recorded, John and Lena developed a friendship which eventually led to their marriage on July 10, 1944 at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church located in Oceanside, California. Apparently what they shared was very unique. Although they had no children together, Lena refused to remarry after John’s death in 1945. In the meantime, she died on June 11, 1999 at the age of 86.

How did he die?

His return to the battlefield did not end well the second time around. As a machine gun section leader in the Battle of Iwo Jima, Basilone once again bravely fought the Japanese forces. It is said that he single-handedly conquered various enemy strongholds and exposed himself to devastating Japanese fire in an effort to get his hands on a Marine tank trapped in the Japanese minefield.

The story goes that he was able to guide the tank to safety by being unfortunately hit by shrapnel from Japanese mortar shells. Gunnery Sergeant died in action on the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Because his action helped Marines penetrate enemy defenses, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the Marine Corps’ second highest valor honor.

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