James A Johnson Husband Of Katherine, Fatal Accident Quakertown, Pa, Renal Unit St James Hospital Leeds, Kuwait Airways Transit Hotel Policy, Articles J

My dad served in the Pacific with the US Army who was in the Marshall Island, Marianas,and Peleliu. 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. (source). . However, this time my sentiments were of the lives and the wonderment of them as people. The bridge at Remagen , as known as the Luddendorf bridge named after the WW I general, Eric Ludenddorf, it was a railroad bridge. G-d keep us always in palm of your hand and love us always. My name is Ali Bardeguez, and I was wondering if maybe you had some insight to her upbringing? They will forever belong to a Band of Brothers and Sisters who willingly served this Country when she called. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. DocBorenstein Lena loved her volunteer work at the VA Hospital in Long Beach. [15] They honeymooned at an onion farm near Portland, Oregon.[16]. I guess she told her friend Barbara that she didnt want to bother anyone which is silly. To me as I have said before was a legend of her own in the Marine Corps. I think the I dont want to be a bother remark reflected the reported poor treatment she received from Basilones family. Lena never remarried. My mom had me and cousins who served over the years in the US and Israeli military. 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 Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Parents Salvatore and Theadora Basilone. We did our jobs and what were asked to do. I had family in 1st Mar Div ahead of and had to join the Army in 73. She married only one man my father Dr. Milton K Borenstein MD. Sergeant John Basilone's legacy is one of the most expansive and visible in Marine Corps history. Such a self-effacing woman she must have been, all the while doing so much good for others! The price of freedom is not cheap. . Ms Barbara Garner: I am a retired Army medic. I was so happy for them both when they got married. i know in the movie she went to visit his parents. John Basilone Quotes. Few veterans around the world have a system like and we can make it better. After I sent any piece of information I could find acknowledging her as Sgt. Both her and her husband had each other and that was enough. I was a medic to engineers when I was in the National Guards and Engineers are over overbearing about safety. I will also remember Audie L. Murphys wife Terrry along with Lena who helped us wounded vets navigate through the VA system and get the help we needed. Virginia Grey is now deceased. I am very moved and I thank all the American soldiers who fought the cruel war in the Pacific and here in our Europe. She was a Marine, so she already earns much respect. Why was no other keel ever laid down in his honor? We spoke once, I am Lena Riggi BAsilones niece, Lost your number in Computer world of storms. It has the picture of him like the statue they made of him in his hometown. I agree, Lena was a loyal wife to a great Marine! After receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps legend GySgt John Basilone fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. This is probably why it occurred. 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. This is what I remember about Lena. I had members of my family who served in the USMC and some were on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. May g-d in wisdom help us fix the VA after the recent round of events. She always appeared and acted much younger than her actual age. [3] Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military. May 10, 2013!! He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. I caught heck from Mom for not writing. I have studied the war in the Pacific. Lena earned the right to be buried next to John. I was with her as she drew her last labored breath in the ER after weeks of trying to recover from the surgery. 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. Chuck Tatum who survived Iwo Jima. May God Bless John and Lena Basilone. She was such a compassionate, no nonsense, spirited lady. I am no hero, and my dad felt he was not a hero either. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. In our Baptist church whenever we sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic she would stand up and get everyone marching behind her all around the auditorium!!! In October, he and the two machine-gun sections under his command held off an attack by a numerically far superior Japanese force. Famous John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916 in United States. The date was February 19, 1945. Neither did they want to include she was the wife of Gunnery Sgt. I again support Lenas generation and love what she did. The hospital environment would have been a nightmare without her.Lena saidonce you had the best.there was no need to be involved with the rest, as she was totally faithful to John for a life time, although her time with him was brief. I just have very much respect for both John and Lena for making the personal sacrifice, and for John making the ultimate sacrifice. Lena was the pioneer and was a very strong Non commissioned officer and ran a very good mess hall. Lena was a very strong woman. Just 26 years old, Manila John Basilone had entered the ranks of the Marine Corps pantheon of heroes -- and shortly America would take the big, handsome Marine with jug ears and a smile like a neon sign to their hearts. While you and your familys service is gratefuly appreciated, as a vietnam vet I have never talked or disscused voluntarily my service time as much as you seem to be inclined to do. I served from 73-2007 Vietnam era to Iraq. The video explains why the rifle is such an efficient, and ultimately dangerous, weapon. That kept me young at heart, As a medic, who has PTSD I gotta get out or let it all hang out. I then years later caught the Gulf war, Korea, Bosnia and Iraq. I wished he didnt go back to war but he was truly a hero and great marine. It's simply . Thank you for your time & Semper Fi, This may include medical bills, eviction notices, or other relevant documents. Truly a wonderful woman of strong beliefs. She is truely my hero as well as her husband. My father was a medic and water purification specialist. She had much empathy for every veteran. Sgt Lena sounds like a very strong and amazing woman. BASILONE'S sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. The military's standard procedure is to notify the family before the media. us army combat medic i, FORT HOOD, Texas (Dec.11, 2022) Members of the search fire and rescue team, assigned to the Marine Corps Chemical, Biological Incident Response Force, saws through concrete while conducting a rescue during Exercise Sudden Response 23 at Fort Hood, Texas Dec. 11, 2022. John Basilone (November 4, 1916 February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who was killed in action during World War II. Lets just say Ive become officially obsessed with the story. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he met his future wife, Lena Mae Riggi, who was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Her life and her love is a chapter sadly left untold. but those were the times and conditions because I think Americans wanted a quicker end to WWII. And finally, while home on leave, Basilone predicts his own death on Iwo Jima. Paul I want to learn about Nam because what my commanders in Basic, AIT, and even in units I later joined trained this old medic in Vietnam methods, tactics and how to stay alive, especially when the cry medic was heard, aka our fatal flaw. I am confident that they have been reunited and are now able to enjoy the chance to be together forever that the war took away from them. They were only married 7 months when John fell in battle within 2-4 hours of hitting the beach. Maybe a bio or maybe a fictionalized with fact sort of book ala Alex Haileys Rootsbut we shall see what we shall see. John Basilone was not only a good machine gun platoon sergeant, He knew how to use machine guns,maintain them and teach others to do the same, like Steve Evenson who fell on Iwo Jima and his buddy [8] After driving trucks for a few years, he wanted to go back to Manila and believed he could get there faster by serving in the Marine Corps rather than in the Army. We were both combat medics and had extra duties our units needed including water purification and distribution. Women make the Marines the effective force they are today.Without Lena, this would not have occurred as easily. It created gut feelings about enemy presence and it wasnt wrong on many occasions. On one occasion I drove Lena to Camp Pendleton for a celebration of the Womens Marine Corp. 60th anniversary, (I think it was 60) It was so great seeing how she was honored and revered by the young lady Marines. I had it easy in comparison. Regardless of whether Basilone's ability was real or imagined, what matters is that he believed it, making his request for orders to the fleet and his actions on Iwo Jima all the more astounding. offspring chris havel wife; airigh 'n eilean; ontario bar exam results 2020. project zomboid ham radio frequencies; gunton hall rooms; kauai hotels kama'aina rate 2021; mary katherine backstrom net worth 2020; blackstone managing director salary. I think this battlespooked him. I learned from others like uncles, friends and comrades. Basilone's Medal of Honor citation reads as follows: The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to. Im such a fan my brother bought me a John Basilone t shirt. Regards Staff Sgt RickDoc Borenstein US Army Medical Corps, Retired . John Basilone whom she was aware of. I have found that the movie industry gets some aspects of Lenas actual life facts wrong. The Greatest Generation. He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. I had to settle for the Army. I was a busy medic and many days circumstances precluded writing.We do overlook the homefront but we have better communication, specifically emails now.and Skype.Lena and John would like these changes.I served as a medic to many of the combat arms so I hope my insights help. Born in Buffalo, New York, on 4 November 1916, he went to St. Bernard Parochial School in Raritan and enlisted in the Army at the age of 18. Memorial day is coming upon us fast and its time to remember those we lost, and those who gave back much to veterans as did Lena. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines had been virtually annihilated. Lena lost her husband within A few short months after their wedding . The memorial parade for Basilone along Somerset Street in his hometown of Raritan, New Jersey, has been held since 1981. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of John R Basilone of Pemberton, New Jersey, who passed away on February 5, 2023, at the age of 66, leaving to mourn family and friends. By Jeff McDonald. It the untold storys you eventually get to hear that you never forget Im so glad that this was shared, Marie: Lena was the pioneer for what the post WWII Marine corps would be today.Women are playing a vital role in what occurs in the modern USMC today. I did some time on Dustoff and later did almost 5 years total. Naval Service.[11]. The only thing I really knew about Basilone was the road that cuts through Camp Pendleton. I am eternal grateful for that help. She had made peace with her loss alone, without receiving any compassion from them. "Lena was notified of Johnny's death on March 7, 1945. Thats typical. Not long after their wedding he shipped out to Iwo Jima and in February of 1945 he was killed in battle. I think it will improve the militarys ability to fight. Marine Sergeant John Basilone receives his Medal of Honor in recognition of his heroism on Guadalcanal on October 24-25, 1942. Lena Basilone and the Women Marines. John taught me to lead my medics well and to take care of them as he did his Marines. He then repaired and manned another machine gun, holding the defensive line until relief arrived. Lena never remarried and she lived in California until her death in 1999. Required fields are marked *. Famous Hookups; Nav; Celebrities. The legs were long, so they were rolled up.the waist was generally too big, so the y cinched up a belt around their waist. . He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. Take care, SSG RickDoc Borenstein,US Army Medical Dept, (ret). My dad was in the Peleliu campaign as part of the US Armys 81st Division who finished the campaign at Angaur, a neighboring island. I met her sometime in 1986 when she visited our church and we became instant friends. [20], He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. The Marines were vastly outnumbered and under-gunned and had the dubious task of defending the most important airfield in the South Pacific. Although she was just. How Cpl John Mackie became the first Marine to earn the Medal of Honor. care.If that helps you. I think it is what spooked him from combat. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Lena lives within a lot of us,sons of Pacific veterans and contemporary Marines and soldiers.Regards,SSG Rick ,Doc Borenstein, Hello Mrs. Barbara Garner, are an Italian lady and my name is Stella. So these male Marines of today who want to diss on women in the Corps need to be quiet. Keep up the good work Women Marines Association! In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. and we lost fewer soldiers because of better medical. I loved the movie Pacific and i felt horrible when he died so young after they were married. The civilian man initially had no pulse, and bystanders told the Marine they assumed he was dead. It was my joy and privilege to be able to stay with her often in her home, to drive her for outings, groceries, shopping, doctor appointments or out to lunch or supper. Within hours of landing on Iwo Jima, where he forcibly got his men up and off the beach, Basilone was killed by an enemy mortar round at age 27. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 her 32nd birthday. On February 19, 1945, the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, he was serving as a machine gun section leader on Red Beach II. If so where can I find it. This weekend GySgt John Basilones niece will be staying with me here in DC for the Iwo Jima reunion and symposium as well as working on the official documentary of John Basilone and Lena Riggi. She was the official sponsor of the destroyer named after him, the USS Basilone, and she participated in its christening ceremony: Sergeant Lena Mae Basilone, USMC(WR), ships sponsor, prepares to christen the destroyer, at the Consolidated Steel Company Shipyard, Orange, Texas, on 21 December 1945. I am not nor have ever been a member of the American Armed forces. . On Camp Pendelton, there is an entry point to the base from Interstate 5 called "Basilone Road." Lena Basilone was a very independent and rugged individual, who epitomized what the USMC is all about. During her time there she met John Basilone, a Marine and the first United States decorated World War II hero. Though the battle was fierce and the Marines' defensive positions were being barraged, Sgt. Another USS John Basilone is Thank you, to the Sergeants Basilone for their service, and may God have united you again in heaven. The USS Basilone, a Gearing -class destroyer sponsored by Basilone's wife Lena, was laid down and launched in 1945 and commissioned in 1949. My uncle Murray a medic did duty with the USMC and Army on Okinawa, My other uncle Dwight did a week on Iwo Jima before he was wounded twice and got oft the Island. David Rodgers: I found MSG Riggi was a marine of her own and even so at Long Beach VA. She said being married to John Basilone was the best thing in her life. War was fought with the idea that you do what you must do to win. I got a lot of insights on it from my high school teachers who fought as Marines in the Pacific. My father served in the Pacific and took part in the Central Pacific and Palau campaign(Peleliu). 75 years after, my heart had broke. December 26, 2022 by Robin. John Basilone, a recipient of the . I could not serve in the USMC which was one of my ambitions, family members were in units I wanted to join, I settled for the Army and do not regret any of my service of 33 1/2.yrs.My dad was in the Pacific with the Marines including the Guam and Peleliu campaigns. While the Marines landed, the Japanese concentrated their fire at the incoming Marines from heavily fortified blockhouses staged throughout the island. This has been an exclusively a mans kingdom. Their bomber was called Cabin In the sky. Nick Name: Manila John Also Known As: Manila John Died At Age: 28 Family: Spouse/Ex-: Lena Mae Riggi (m. 1944) father: Salvatore Basilone mother: Theadora Bencivenga Born Country: United States Soldiers American Men Height: 1.8 m Died on: February 19, 1945 place of death: Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan Ancestry: Italian American There will not be another one like her and Terri Murphy Audie Murphys wife. She helped a lot of soldiers out throughout her long life of service.I thing she wanted to remain in the background. I just watched HBO's The Pacific episode 7, it was great, tons of action. Today, the Women's Reserve is no more. God Bless, her and her husband!!!! The top brass who gave the OK should be the ones to blame. The Pacific War was one of the most savage wars ever fought. But only small details.for instance, at that time all lady marines that worked in the kitchen wore the mens fatigues, but not the ones popular today. The saddest days of my life were seeing Lenas normally fighting spirit wane after her surgery. [22], Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's military awards include:[23]. Whatever we were doing on a weekday, she insisted we be home in time for her daily dose of Guiding Light ! Hi Sabrina, did you ever write about Sgt Lena Basilone? It was so my privilege to know Lena as my dear friend! We were proud to do this.You make our sacrifices bearable. Gotta gp get em.,during a hail of gunfire.Later in other conflicts it was knowledge I definitely needed and used, as it save my life. On December 8, 1941, she went to go shopping. I just had a question, was she close to his family after he passed? 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. Donald Basilone was the youngest sibling of the Basilone family, and brother of GySgt. John Basilone's relationship with Lena Mae Basilone ended when John Basilone died on February 19, 1945. I was there when at over 80 years of age the doctor decided to do heart bypass surgery. She was very selfless.and helped without expecting anything in return. I found Lena in both the 1930 and 1940 censusand was very surprised and excited to learn that not only was she an Oregonian, shes was basically for me a local girl! She was raised and lived and worked in places less than an hours drive from where I live now! Hi Barbara! And your efforts have been repaid many times over I am sure, by those who now know more about her. Please call me and send your number. Basilone so deeply loved only makes that respect more profound. Regards, Virginia Grey Entertainment - Actress Why Famous: Hullabaloo, film Age: 87 (3/22/1917 - 7/31/2004) Virginia Grey's Relationships (3) John Basilone Other - Other Why Famous: Recipient of Medal of Honor for Battle of Guadalcanal Women marines can be rifleman which it is only right and fair. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. She always did things that were bigger than herself. 22 daily Regards, Doc Thats why I talk about so others are not misinformed by the media, or teachers, Paul. I would love to know if anyone knows of someone or is the person who knew Lena or even John or both while they served. Lena would have been one mess sergeant I would never worry about because she ran a very efficient mess hall and really cared about the food and other things mess halls served. Explore John Basilone net worth, birthday, height, age, bio, salary, 2023! He was one of only three Marines in that group to survive. Semper Fi. Doesnt make sense to me at all, along with returning his medal of honor and insurance to his family. From what Ive read they gained a lot of prestige. I have had 7 combat campaigns to boot too Lena was not not much for publicity and kept a low profile.