Mr. Basilone lived in Raritan all his life and was a purchasing agent with Inmont Corp. in Bound Brook. Year should not be greater than current year. Geni requires JavaScript! Basilone was posthumously awarded the Marine Corps' second-highest decoration for valor, the Navy Cross, for extraordinary heroism during the battle of Iwo Jima. John Basilone (1916 - 1945) - Genealogy He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. John Basilone, Medal of Honor ; Phyllis Dorothy Basilone ; Mary Grace Basilone ; George / Giorgio Basilone ; Alfonso / Alphonse Basilone and 4 others ; Deloris Basilone ; Carlo Edward Basilone ; Katherine Basilone and Private less Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. cemeteries found in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. [22], Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's military awards include:[23]. Death 29 Oct 1990 (aged 68) Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. He even lost his asbestos gloves, which were gloves used to hold or switch the hot barrels of the heavily used machine guns. Make sure that the file is a photo. HBO's 'The Pacific' highlights heroic story of N.J.'s John Basilone John Basilone was referred to as the towns biggest soda drinker. After completing middle school at age 15, he dropped out prior to attending high school. 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. As he moved along the edge of the airfield, he was killed by Japanese mortar shrapnel. The first half of The Pacific, part 8, "Iwo Jima," chronicles Basilone's transfer to the 5th Marine Division, where he trains budding recruits for combat in the Pacific Theatre. Although Jon Ceda's Basilone appears as a bastion of virtue and, in many ways, the ideal of American resolve and fortitude during World War II, his portrayal of the famed Gunnery Sergeant is right on the money. He fought his way toward an airfield and assisted a Marine tank trapped in an enemy mine field, guiding the vehicle over the deadly terrain to safety even though he was under intense mortar and artillery barrages. Created: 03 Sep 2008. 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 theUnited States Naval Service. He would be their only child (of ten) not born in Raritan. He had just helped destroy an enemy blockhouse before he was hit by a mortar shell. His arrival was highly publicized and his hometown held a parade in his honor when he returned. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. John Basilone 65 years ago on the volcanic rock island of Iwo Jima. Young Marines are taught the story of Basilone the World War II gunnery sergeant who fought at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, a hero killed in combat and awarded the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross. Search above to list available cemeteries. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. This store was beloved by Raritan kids. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. There was a trolley line that ran down Somerset Street. He's also adamant Revenge of the Sith is the best Star Wars movie out there - which he consistently gets flak for. John Basilone, Medal of Honor; Phyllis Dorothy Basilone; Mary Grace Basilone; Angelo Basilone; Alfonso / Alphonse Basilone and 4 others. Failed to delete flower. Although he appreciated the admiration, he felt out of place and requested to return to the operating forces fighting the war. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. He enlisted in the Marines, service number 287506, in July 1940 from Baltimore, Maryland, and went to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River. He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. After the parade, he toured the country raising money for the war effort and achieved celebrity status. In this field they played a variety of sports including baseball and football. Death: Immediate Family: Son of Salvatore Basilone and Dora Basilone. I also sometimes get commissions for purchases made through links in the posts. Minutes later he was killed by an enemy artillery round. The youngest of the 10 Basilone children, Mr. Basilone was himself a Marine, along with his brother George, joining the # MarineCorps in 1948 and serving overseas during the Korean War.. Mr. Basilone recently attended the christening of the U.S.S. There are two accounts of exactly how he died. George William Basilone 1922 . 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 theVolcano Islands, 19 February 1945. The local kids were fortunate as there were three local theatres. Saint Bernard Cemetery and Mausoleum. John Basilone, who received the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross for his heroism in the Battle . Family members linked to this person will appear here. That building was later used as the VFW hall. Birthdate: 1922. Here's how much of The Pacific's John Basilone story really happened, as well as more detail onthe true events that shaped his legendary military career. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. His arrival was highly publicized, and his hometown held a parade in his honor when he returned. Naval Service.[11]. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. The Basilone Family and Raritan Learns of John's Death. Try again. BASILONE, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. The battle heroics of Raritans hometown hero John Basilone are well known, but what he did right here in his hometown is not well known. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. 0 cemeteries found in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 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. Basilone managed to retrieve a heavy machine gun from under enemy control, despite these insurmountable odds and maintain fire on the Japanese position for almost 24 hours non-stop. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. As Basilones Medal of Honor citation notes,Basilone carried roughly 90 pounds of weaponry and ammunition to the disabled gun pit, running a distance of 200 yardsthrough enemy fire with total disregard for his own life. The true story behind the character depicted in HBO's critically acclaimed, award-winning miniseries, The Pacific I'm Staying with My Boys is a firsthand look inside the life of one of the greatest heroes of the Greatest Generation. Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. With all marines dressed alike and with all marines in extremis at that moment, it is possible that their memories have been clouded by the fog of war. All of them give different versions, but they agree that a mortar round killed John, which is the version found in written accounts. They later married. To use this feature, use a newer browser. It was open for decades around 1918-1968. Their favorite spot in the river was two blocks west of where the Basilone Statue is today. Learn more about managing a memorial . Add to your scrapbook. 1 Home Entertainment Tech Resource. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japaneseblockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant BASILONE boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. CPL George William Basilone Birth 6 Feb 1922. Try again later. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Since the men of Graves Registration had to examine the body and take the dog tags and keep records and bury the body, their account is definitive. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of theU.S. On February 19, 1945, he was serving as a machine gun section leader in action against Japanese forces on Red Beach II. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. Iwo (AP), Nov 4 1916 - Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States, Feb 19 1945 - Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, Ogasawara, Japan, Salvatore " Sallie" Basilone, Theodora " Dora" Basilone (born Bengivenga). Try again later. Basilone Medical File, "Abstract of Medial History", February 19, 1945, Basilone USMC Personnel File. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. There was a problem getting your location. On October 24, 1942, Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine guns, grenades, and mortars against the American heavy machine guns. After driving trucks for a few months, he wanted to go back to Manila and believed he could get there faster as a Marine than in the Army. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. In Raritan was the Empire Theatre (later called The Playhouse) on Anderson Street. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Made and Maintained by Yisela Alvarez Trentini, The Inter Allied Victory Medal (Great Britain), http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/johnbasi.htm, https://explorethearchive.com/john-basilone, The Incredible Story of John Basilone, U.S. Marine, The Tank Corps and Royal Tank Regiment: Their Medals and History WW1, WW2, Sergeant Stubby and Sergeant Reckless, Decorated Dog and Horse, The Maginot Line: A Defensive Barrier for World War II, Why Are People Awarded Medals? John Basilone (November 4, 1916 February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. On July 3, 1944, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps. The heart broken widow bride - History of Sorts In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. He enlisted in the United States Army and completed his three-year enlistment with service in the Philippines, where he was a champion boxer. After having 5 children Sal and Dora temporarily moved away from Raritan to Buffalo. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Carlo Edward Basilone I found on Findagrave.com. Please reset your password. How John Basilone died in The Pacific. He didn't actually get killed by This led to the swimming. As Basilone would note, Only part of this medal belongs to me. He received the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Guadalcanal and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. If you arent aU.S. Marine, youve probably never heard the nameJohn Basilone before. Basilone was sent to Camp Pendleton in California to complete additional training for combat in the Pacificwhere he ended up meeting his wife, a fellow Marine Sergeant named Lena Mae Riggi. News of John's death, which had occurred on February 19th, 1945, did not reach home until March 8th, 1945, a Thursday. John Basilone: An article in Monday's Calendar section about John Basilone, whose death on Iwo Jima was marked on the HBO series "The Pacific," described him as a Congressional Medal of. In the case of the written accounts, these were not informed by the medical file cited here. John's brother George, also a Marine, stood with his mother as an honor guard. 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. Many adults fortunate enough to own a car back then would think nothing of helping a few kids from town venture out somewhere. He was born on March 4, 1922 in the Little Italy neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Father Amedeo Russo then blessed the statue. Sgt. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Weve updated the security on the site. Since most boys did not have a bathing suit they swam naked. Florence Nightingale: The Life and Medals of the Lady With the Lamp, Medals of Valor: The Origins of the Victoria Cross and Bar, Small-town Nurse Ellen Ainsworth Died Saving Patients in World War II. From fending off swathes of Japanese soldiers with just a machete at the battle forGuadalcanal to charging on foot with the Marine tank divisions at Iwo Jima, Basilone's tale is a highly stirring one. Just before his 18th birthday, Basilone enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in thePhilippinesas an infantryman from 1934 to 1937. Time stopped for Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bath Iron Works' newest guided missile destroyer, the future USS John Basilone, was christened today. Toward the dawn of the battle, Basilone fought Japanese soldiers using only a .45 pistol. Citadel's $300M gamble, 3 Musketeers, Evil Dead Rise, Superman 4K, Three Colours 4K, and good TV! The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. The Basilone home stood at 113 First Avenue where the Shell station is today. His brothers Al, George, Carlo, and Angelo. When the last of the ammunition ran out shortly before dawn on the second day, Basilone, using his pistol and a machete, held off the Japanese soldiers attacking his position. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? The Italian Bakery is there today. There was an error deleting this problem. John Francis Basilone 1916 - 1945 . Stories about the Second World War, the countries that fought in it, the different battles, medals and awards, and more WW2-related content. He also was a reservist with the Raritan Police Reserves. 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. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. Try again later. The military's standard procedure is to notify the family before the media. I thought you might like to see a memorial for CPL George William Basilone I found on Findagrave.com. They honeymooned at her parents' onion farm in Portland. United States Government. By the end of the third day, Basilone had virtually annihilated the Japanese forces opposite the Marines' lines almost single-handedly, whose valor earned him the Medal of Honor. Lena M. Basilone died June 11, 1999, at the age of 86 and was buried at Riverside National Cemetery. The Basilones lived on one side of the house while a Bengivenga family lived on the other side. I'm Staying with My Boys: The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC John Basilone - Wikipedia 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. Basilone commanded two sections of machine gunsthat fought for the next two days until only Basilone and two other Marines were left standing, leaving ammunition critically low and their supply lines cut off from the rear. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Basilone was born in his home on November 4, 1916 in Buffalo, New York, the sixth of 10 children. Basilone's parents met at a church gathering and married three years later. [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. Try again later. www.identifymedals.com Identify Medals All rights reserved - 2023. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. [11] Afterwards, Private First Class Nash W. Phillips of Fayetteville, North Carolina, recalled from the battle for Guadalcanal: "Basilone had a machine gun on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest, or food. The trolley could take you to Somerville, Bound Brook or even further. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. He left for Camp Pendleton, California, for training on December 27. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. Try again later. After his request to return to the fleet was approved, Basilone was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. From August 1942 on, Basilone and his unit1st Battalion, 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Divisionwere tasked with fighting the Japanese deep in the jungles of Guadalcanal, one of the hundreds of islands that comprise the Solomons. Basilone's is one of three narrativesthat form the backbone of The Pacific's action, drama, and intrigue alongsideRobert Leckie (James Badge Dale) andEugene Sledge (Joseph Mazzello). 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. BASILONE'S sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. He guided the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite heavy weapons fire from the Japanese. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? This account has been disabled. The parade made national news in Life magazine and Fox Movietone News. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Spurred on by Basilone's bravery, the 27th regiment fought toward Iwo Jima'sAirfield Number 1 before becoming entrenched in the center of the day's bloodiest fighting. Weve updated the security on the site. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. After attending training, Basilone deployed to Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, the Solomon Islands and eventually to Guadalcanal where he held off 3,000 Japanese troops after his 15-member unit was reduced to two other men. It was a two-family home that was owned by Doras family. 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.