Basilone, John (1916-1945), was a rifleman in the United States Marine Corps during World War II (1939-1945). In 1942, Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal . The medal is the highest military decoration awarded by the U.S. government. In 1945, Basilone was posthumously (after death) awarded the Navy Cross, the Navy and Marine Corps’ second highest award for valor, for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima . Basilone was the only Marine to win both medals during the war.
John Francis Basilone was born on Nov. 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. He was raised in Raritan, New Jersey. The son of Italian immigrants, Basilone enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18. He served in the Philippines, where he earned the nickname “Manila John” as an Army boxer. In 1937, Basilone finished his enlistment in the Army. After working in Maryland as a truck driver, Basilone joined the Marine Corps in July 1940. In 1941, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, of the newly created 1st Marine Division.
In August 1942, the 1st Marine Division began the American invasion of Japanese-held Guadalcanal Island . Guadalcanal lies in the Coral Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia. In late October 1942, Platoon Sergeant Basilone’s machine gun section helped stop a Japanese attempt to take the island’s airfield. For his leadership and courage, Basilone received the Medal of Honor.
Basilone returned to the United States as a national hero. He was honored with a parade in his hometown of Raritan, and he promoted war bonds on a tour of U.S. cities. In January 1944, he began training at Camp Pendleton , California, just north of San Diego. Soon after, Basilone met Lena Mae Riggi, a sergeant in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. The two married in July, shortly before his return to active duty in the Pacific.
Gunnery Sergeant Basilone joined the 1st Battalion, 27th Regiment, 5th Marine Division, for the 1945 invasion of Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima, now called Iwo To, is a volcanic island about 750 miles (1,210 kilometers) south of Japan. On February 19, the first day of the invasion, Basilone was killed leading his machine gun section into battle. For his bravery and leadership, he received the Navy Cross.
A statue of Basilone was erected in Raritan in 1948. The destroyer Basilone, named in his honor, served the U.S. Navy from 1949 to 1977. A parade in his honor has been held every year in Raritan since 1981. Basilone’s life and character were featured in the television miniseries The Pacific (2010). The main road at Camp Pendleton, as well as a portion of the nearby highway, are named for Basilone.
See also Medals, decorations, and orders .
