I too am writing about her for a project in the Marines. 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. During the fighting on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone's actions would result in him being awarded the Medal of Honor. I appreciate Barbara Garners knowledge of Lena because I think she is a daughter to Lena. GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the next few days. After receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps legend GySgt John Basilone fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. God bless Sgt. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. We also appreciated the material contributions you made to the war effort.As medics, my father and I kept many people alive when injured but we also kept them up mentally and maintained their health. 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. The John Basilone Memorial Parade is the only parade in the country honoring a World War II hero. I hope that you dont get what Im saying to you wrong Im not beating you up its just saying what Ive learned from the older Marines was the thing to do. The video explains why the rifle is such an efficient, and ultimately dangerous, weapon. Widowed Unfortunately, Basilone was killed in action on Iwo Jima. Age: 86 (3/7/1913 - 6/11/1999) Lena Mae Basilone's Relationships (1) Check out our New "Top 10 Worst . What was the most moving person I had found was that of Lena. She may have never forgiven him for going back into battle. I think it will improve the militarys ability to fight. Doc..thanks for the reply. She had much empathy for every veteran. He was one of only three Marines in that group to survive. He was deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, and in August 1942, he took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal. 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. America was so much better i am sure. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 12, Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. Wow! 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. 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. I just saw this site today for the first time. I then years later caught the Gulf war, Korea, Bosnia and Iraq. My husband was stationed in California in the 80s; I even stayed with one of his relatives in Riverside while he checked in at MCRD San Diego. 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. Despite their supply lines having been cut off by enemies who had infiltrated into the rear, Basilone fought through hostile ground to resupply his heavy machine gunners with urgently needed supplies. Your email address will not be published. His arrival was highly publicized, and his hometown held a parade in his honor when he returned. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. Quite a story. You were lucky to get to know her, even a little! I met her sometime in 1986 when she visited our church and we became instant friends. I was so happy for them both when they got married. The lady was happy to know that Lena was also a Portland Marine. I wish i was around then. Basilone: Directed by David Nutter. Marine's heroism gave him legendary status. Oh, my, it must have been terrible for her. I agree, Lena was a loyal wife to a great Marine! After his request to return to the fleet was approved, Basilone was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. Regardless of Service Branch, we all, will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters that only we can understand. They served with me steadfastly for almost 34 years ,over 1/2 my lifetime. I have to just say Thank you to everyone who is in any branch of the military who reads this. I worked every day of my EMS career to prevent this. She one of a kind,who we may never see the likes of again. That she and Gunnery Sgt. My cousins, and two uncles fought there and I learned quickly what Vietnam was about. Sgt. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. She was a patriotic American to the core!! I tried my hardest through the years to get Lena to consent to be buried in Arlington Natioal Cemetary with her Johnny. Irene Talbot The Naked Kiss (29-Oct-1964) Black Zoo (15-May-1963) Her spirit still lives on.. but those were the times and conditions because I think Americans wanted a quicker end to WWII. Basilone died before he and his new wife had time to have children. She was definitely not impressed with his celebrity status. She had a very strong love for Gy.Sgt John Basilone even though their marriage was short,it was a very strong one. : http://www.facebook.com/groups/10868541353/. She was very selfless.and helped without expecting anything in return. I believe they had no further contact with her. I am finding this is a need especially this last Friday when a retired E7 took his daughters and himself in a homicide.-suicide. He went to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River. Hair nets are an essential thing for mess hall personnel as I have been a Mess hall inspector as part of medic duties. It was there that John died, in an exchange of heavy gunfire on the island of Iwo Jima. We, as a nation, have been blessed to have such people serving to defend us. "If the Japanese force got through Basilone . Lena Basilone returns her late husband's Medal of Honor to his family.From HBO's "The Pacific", episode 10 of 10. My father and I did our jobs as we were expected to by our comrades and as we expected to. Lena always had her wallet full of Johnnys pictures. They fought the war professionally and with great courage and valor.Their service shall always honored and remembered. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Hi Barbara! They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time . As I have commented she was a LEGEND as was John. One must remember that Sgt Basilone volunteer to return to battle which he did not have too being a MOH recipient. She was laid to rest in the National Cemetery at Riverside, California. Being on the home front is just as valuable.When I was deployed, the letters,the care packages,and support for us kept us going.You people of the homefront keep our morale up more than you know. I have been a combat veteran from the Vietnam era to Iraq. Thats a hard thing to take, but she took it and carried on. The Marines sent him to Guantnamo Bay for his next assignment and then to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands as a member of "D" Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.[8]. I have stayed to true to taking care of the troops as a medic. End note 456 reads: John Basilone. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Lena Basilone and the Women Marines. I just had a question, was she close to his family after he passed? I was there when at over 80 years of age the doctor decided to do heart bypass surgery. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II. Basilone was posthumously awarded the Marine Corps' second-highest decoration for valor, the Navy Cross, for extraordinary heroism during the battle of Iwo Jima. Donald Basilone was the youngest sibling of the Basilone family, and brother of GySgt. [1] His father, Salvatore Basilone, emigrated from Colle Sannita, in the province of Benevento, Italy and settled in Raritan. She helped a lot of soldiers out throughout her long life of service.I thing she wanted to remain in the background. 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. Gracias, amiga! Lena was a person who lived life with a low profile and she was laid to rest in Riverside countys VA cemetery. It also is sad that Lena had a short time with John. My father,Dr Milt Borenstein was a combat medic in the Pacific Attached to the USMC under General Roy Geiger of Guadalcanal fame.When Lena met John she was in charge of a mess hall at Camp Pendleton,California. I sometimes wonder how my family members who fought on Peleliu,Okinawa, and Iwo Jima fought on an island cemetery,the constant artillery and mortar fire, and combat. Thank You David. Hi Robin: I second what you said. Legacy. What would make someone cut the connection so completely, yet state that she had the best?, Miss she had the man he was worth more than any material thing she had and her memory of him was enough for her. My intrest was to watch what my two Uncles had gone through as they were in all those battles amongst all the Marines. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. 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. Lena as a dear and precious friend of mine. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. Grave 384, grid Y/Z 23.5. She responded that she had served as a Marine in the early 70s. The price of freedom is not cheap. We do a ceremony every wednesday for Vets without Families WE look straight out on her grave Rest in Peace Lena Basilone. God bless! We talked about her experiences. DocBorenstein Lena loved her volunteer work at the VA Hospital in Long Beach. By Jeff McDonald. Charles "Check" Tatum. Brother & Sister. At that time women were not accepted in a mans world in the military at that time. for service as set forth in the following CITATION: 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. 1939. The Pacific War was one of the most savage wars ever fought. 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. A recent visit to the battle sites and the cemeteries in Europe was a moving experience and a grim reminder of sacrifices made for the freedom we enjoy! Doc Fortunately, I had an uncle who was a surgeon on the civilian side who took care of the problem> I served as a medic in the US Army by default. During Virginia's participation in WWII bond drives, she developed a close relationship with John Basilone, . 75 years after, my heart had broke. He did things bigger than himself and didnt want the limelight. I served in 5 combat deployments. It was so sad that they never got to spend their lives together. For his heroism there, he was awarded the Navy. From her Find-A-Grave entry and her obituary: Lena Mae Riggi was born on March 7, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. While the Marines landed, the Japanese concentrated their fire at the incoming Marines from heavily fortified blockhouses staged throughout the island. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. Please feel free to email me at Alison.bardeguez@usmc.mil.