Memorial Day: John Basilone. Section 12 Grave 384

Arlington National Cemetery ^ | 2021 | Arlington National Cemetery

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Section 12, Grave 384

Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (1916-1945) was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in combat at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in October 1942. During brutal fighting with heavy casualties on both sides, he killed at least 38 Japanese soldiers. He returned home to a hero's welcome, including a parade featured in "Life" magazine. But he requested to return to combat, stating that he was just "a plain soldier" who belonged with his unit. On February 19, 1945, Basilone was killed in action leading an assault off the beaches of Iwo Jima. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the only enlisted Marine to be honored with both the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor.

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Medal of Honor 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. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. 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 great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."

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Someone worth remembering while we 'enjoy the long weekend' as Harris said. He was a great Marine.

The Legend of John Basilone.

John Basilone (Wikipedia)

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[DFG]

The movie “Sands of Iwo Jima” pays homage to Sgt John Basilone. Basilone received the Medal of Honor for his heroism at Guadacanal. He was sent home for war bond drives but requested to be returned to combat. He did so and died on Iwo Jima. There is a photo of his body on Iwo Jima, face down and with his name visible, that is almost exactly the same pose that John Wayne is in.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Basilone was featured in the counterpart to Band of Brothers, The Pacific.

[bigbob]

Wow, indeed he was.

If only we could get those who are bent on destroying the country to feel in their gut what we do when reading about men like this.

And my dad, silver star, purple heart, US Army WWII.

[PROCON]

Bump!

[GreyHoundSailor]

Married for seven months and a week - his wife Lena was also a Marine and never remarried.

[Getready]

Thank you.
Now I know why there is an off ramp on San Diego Freeway in area of Camp Pendleton (marine training) to a road called Basilone.

[doorgunner69]

Further south on the east side of the highway you can see Edson rifle range. named for Red Mike Edson, Marine Raider and commander of the defense of Guadalcanal.

Medal of Honor, two Navy Crosses, Silver Star.

We Marines take our history very seriously.

[nesnah]

He was from around where I grew up.

High school athletic fields are named in his honor.

[Sequoyah101]

I have reasoned that it is a mixture of pride in these men, sadness in their deaths and remorse that their sacrifice and honor are so maligned by so many sorry people that could not even hold a candle for these men to run by. Yet they gave their lives so that others they never knew could have the freedom to disrespect their memory, honor and sacrifice. I am given to weep at the thought of these things.

My uncle was a Gunny at Chosin with all the rest of those determined men saving themselves indeed but with amazing resolve to save each other. This has been our way in keeping with the highest traditions of service to our country and one another.

[Sequoyah101]

In keeping with the highest traditions of the service.

Sobering and who wants to be the one who breaks that chain?

[bunkerhill7]

John Runs To the Sounds of Guns

[Doc91678]

They were all hero's in Guadalcanal in 1942. The 1stMarDiv actually went into battle with WW1 equipment mainly using the 1903 Springfield and some untried weapons like the Reising gun, and the Johnson auto rifle.
My cousin Jack (James Giacalone) was there with the Fifth Marine Regiment. He was also fought at Cape Gloucester, New Britain and Peleliu.
My cousin was struck down with severe malaria and was hospitalized after Peleliu and shipped back to the states.

[TheConservativeTejano]

Married for seven months and a week - his wife Lena was also a Marine and never remarried.

Partner, John Basilone was a great marine and he got the MOH for actions at Guadalcanal.

I can not remember how many Japs he killed on Guadalcanal but he had enough of these Japs killed.

He did not even have to go in with his buddy Marines at "Iwo Jima", but he could not resist the action and the Japs put a sniper at get Basilone.

He loved the USMCorps.

John Basilone is an American Hero.

[jmacusa]

My late father-in-law was 4th. Marines. Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.

He was wounded on Iwo Jima and evacuated.

He was recuperating in a hospital when the bombs were dropped and like a million other guys he got to see his next birthday.

My oldest brother was 1st. Lieutenant , 1st. Marine Division, Field Artillery, 1976-80.

Marines. No Better Friend. No Worst Enemy.

[doorgunner69]

My father was a navy corpsman with the Marines just finishing up the Okinawa invasion. He always swore the bombs saved his life.

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[GreyHoundSailor]

When I was last stationed in San Diego, I drove up to Oceanside just to see the church where they married.

Over my 25 years on active duty I made it a point to read all the MOH citations from WWII until the present.