John Basilone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Basilone
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Basilone in 1943
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| Nickname(s) | "Manila John" |
| Born | November 4, 1916 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 19, 1945 (aged 28) Airfield Number 1, Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, Japanese Empire |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1934–1937 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Gunnery sergeant |
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| Battles/wars |
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| Awards | |
| Spouse(s) |
Lena Mae Riggi
(m. 1944) |
John Basilone (born November 4, 1916 – died February 19, 1945) was a brave United States Marine Corps soldier. He earned the highest military award, the Medal of Honor, for his amazing courage during the Battle for Henderson Field in Guadalcanal. He also received the Navy Cross after he died, for being incredibly heroic during the Battle of Iwo Jima. John Basilone was the only regular Marine soldier to receive both of these top awards in World War II.
He joined the Marine Corps in 1940, after serving three years in the United States Army. In August 1942, he fought in the invasion of Guadalcanal. There, he and his machine-gun teams bravely held off a much larger Japanese attack. He was one of only three Marines in his group to survive. His actions at Guadalcanal earned him the Medal of Honor.
In February 1945, he was killed on the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He single-handedly destroyed an enemy bunker and guided a Marine tank safely through a dangerous minefield. John Basilone has been honored in many ways, including having streets, military bases, and two United States Navy destroyers named after him.
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John Basilone's Early Life
John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. He was the sixth of ten children in his Italian American family. His family moved back to Raritan, New Jersey, in 1918. His father, Salvatore Basilone, came from Italy. His mother, Theadora Bencivenga, grew up in Manville, New Jersey, but her parents were also from Italy.
John grew up in Raritan, New Jersey. He went to St. Bernard Parochial School. He finished middle school at age 15 and then left school. Before joining the military, John worked as a golf caddy at a local country club.
Joining the Military
Serving in the U.S. Army
John Basilone first joined the United States Army in July 1934. He served for three years, including time in the Philippines. While in the Army, he was known as a champion boxer. After his time in the Army, Basilone worked as a truck driver. He wanted to go back to the Philippines, and he thought joining the Marine Corps would get him there faster.
Becoming a U.S. Marine
In 1940, John Basilone joined the United States Marine Corps in Baltimore, Maryland. He completed his basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. After more training, he was sent to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Later, he went to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. He was part of the 1st Marine Division.
Heroic Actions in Battle
The Battle of Guadalcanal
On October 24, 1942, during the Battle for Henderson Field in Guadalcanal, John Basilone's unit faced a huge attack. About 3,000 Japanese soldiers attacked with machine guns, grenades, and mortars. Basilone was in charge of two machine-gun teams. They fought for two days straight. By the end, only Basilone and two other Marines were still fighting.
Ammunition started to run out. Even though enemy soldiers had cut off their supply lines, Basilone bravely fought his way through dangerous areas. He brought urgently needed supplies to his machine gunners. He even moved an extra machine gun into position and kept firing at the Japanese. He also repaired another machine gun and kept defending the line until help arrived.
When they ran out of ammunition on the second day, Basilone used his pistol and a machete. He held off the Japanese soldiers attacking his position. Because of his incredible bravery, the Japanese forces attacking his area were almost completely wiped out. For his actions, John Basilone received the Medal of Honor, the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military.
War Bond Tours
In 1943, John Basilone returned to the United States. He took part in tours to help sell war bonds. These bonds helped the country pay for the war. His return was big news, and his hometown held a huge parade for him. Thousands of people, including famous politicians and celebrities, came to see him. The parade was even featured in Life magazine.
Even though he was a celebrity, Basilone felt out of place. He wanted to go back to fighting with his fellow Marines. The Marine Corps first said no, telling him he was more needed at home. He turned down an offer to become an officer and also refused a job as an instructor. When he asked again to return to the war, his request was finally approved. He went to Camp Pendleton, California, for more training.
Marriage
While at Camp Pendleton, John Basilone met Lena Mae Riggi. She was a sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. They got married on July 10, 1944, in Oceanside, California. They spent their honeymoon on an onion farm in Oregon.
The Battle of Iwo Jima
After his request to return to battle was approved, Basilone was sent to the 5th Marine Division. On February 19, 1945, the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima, he was leading a machine-gun team. As the Marines landed on the beach, the Japanese fired heavily from strong bunkers. Basilone's unit was stuck. He bravely went around the Japanese positions until he was right on top of a bunker. He attacked it with grenades and explosives, destroying the entire strong point by himself.
He then fought his way towards Airfield Number 1. He helped a Marine tank that was stuck in an enemy minefield. The tank was under heavy fire from Japanese mortars and artillery. Basilone guided the tank safely through the dangerous area. Sadly, John Basilone was killed as he moved along the edge of the airfield. He was hit by enemy fire.
Basilone's brave actions helped the Marines break through the Japanese defenses. This was very important during the early part of the invasion. For his extraordinary heroism at Iwo Jima, John Basilone was given the Navy Cross after his death.
Burial
John Basilone was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His wife, Lena M. Basilone, passed away in 1999. She is buried in California. Lena never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring.
Awards and Honors
Gunnery Sergeant Basilone received many important military awards for his bravery:
He also received many other honors:
- A road at Camp Pendleton, a Marine Corps base, is called "Basilone Road."
- A highway in California is named "Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Highway."
- Two United States Navy destroyers have been named after him: the USS Basilone (launched in 1945) and the USS John Basilone (launched in 2020).
- In his hometown of Raritan, New Jersey, a memorial parade for Basilone has been held every year since 1981.
- A football field at Bridgewater-Raritan High School is called "Basilone Field."
- The New Jersey Turnpike bridge over the Raritan River is named the "Basilone Bridge."
- In 2005, the United States Postal Service released stamps honoring four Marine Corps heroes, including John Basilone.
- In 2011, Basilone was added to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
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Basilone receiving the Medal of Honor in 1943.
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John Basilone's headstone in Arlington National Cemetery
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Sergeant Lena Mae Basilone, USMC(WR), John Basilone's widow, christens the destroyer USS Basilone (December 21, 1945)
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Dedication sign for the Basilone Memorial Bridge
See also
- List of historically notable United States Marines
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
