Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring. In December, Basilone returned to the Pacific, headed for Iwo Jima. 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), ship’s sponsor, prepares to christen the destroyer, at the Consolidated Steel Company Shipyard, Orange, Texas, on 21 December 1945. Semper fi, John. 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. Trip to Arlington Virginia to honor the memory of John Basilone, WW2 hero of Guadalcanal. She always did things that were bigger than herself. So he couldn’t have possibly made the “best coffee she ever had.” Still, it’s a good part of the story consider that may very well have been the reaction of some parents upon discovering their daughter was joining the Marine Corps. to me it was a tough and frustrating war in many ways. Both Eisenhower and Patton wanted to keep on the heels of the Germans, which supposedely justified using the Remagen Bridge. He then attacked with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroying the entire strong point and its defending garrison. Most people are very selfish in life and I find that time and life itself are the most valuable things. Thank you both for your service and sacrifice. He is remembered as one of the greatest of the many US Marine Corps heroes. She is the first woman in the history of the United States Armed Forces to be appointed to a three-star grade. Lena Basilone was a very independent and rugged individual, who epitomized what the USMC is all about. He left for Camp Pendleton, California, for training on December 27. Women recently won an important victory, they now can be combat arms officers. I did start watching “The Pacific” after reading a few of these comments, and I have to say that it is a very emotional rollercoaster of a miniseries. She is my hero. I warmly greet. If any of you served with or knew Lena please let me know. I am proud to speak to a member of John and Lenas family. They were legendary icons and did their duties beyond what was required of them. David: World War II in the Pacific was a war I hope humankind doesn’t engage n again for a while. My generation followed their example and I think its why I survived 5 conflicts with mild to moderate PTSD. If Gy Basilone, one of the greatest Marines who ever lived, had respect for a Woman Marine enough to marry one, then they need to show respect, too! My husband was stationed in California in the 80’s; I even stayed with one of his relatives in Riverside while he checked in at MCRD San Diego. Nov 3, 2020. Please feel free to email me at the address below or Alison.Bardeguez@usmc.mil, I just want to say what a beautiful story of your meeting and becoming her friend. I see that your family had a lot of marines and sailors, as are some members of my family. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Her favorite framed picture of “Johnny” always sat looking at her from atop her TV! It wasn’t until The Pacific miniseries came out that we realized Lena lived in Riverside and had we known we could have contacted her. Hi Paul: I was a young kid when Vietnam went down. I always signed in as her”daughter”, to be able to have access to her and her doctors. The saddest days of my life were seeing Lena’s normally fighting spirit wane after her surgery. 683 likes. [21], His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. The Lena I knew would rather be buried where she was because she didn’t seek the limelight and wanted to live a quiet life. I then years later caught the Gulf war, Korea, Bosnia and Iraq. I too am writing about her for a project in the Marines.
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