John Basilone (November 4, 1916 – February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross.

He served three years in the United States Army with duty in the Philippines before joining the Marine Corps in 1940. After attending training Basilone was sent to Guantanamo 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 men. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima, after which he was posthumously honored with the Navy Cross. He has received many honors including being the namesake for streets, military locations and a United States Navy destroyer.



"On the night of October 24, 1942, the weapons man of the hour was
"Manila John" Basilone, the platoon sergeant of the heavy .30-caliber
machine-gun platoon attached to Co. C, 7th Marines, 1stMarDiv.
Basilone was everywhere at once, clearing jams, calming nervous
gunners, replacing parts, and repositioning guns. John Basilone
inspired all who saw him that night: he became the glue that bound
Co. C together, and for that he earned the Medal of Honor."

by Eric Hammel...Leatherneck Oct 1992









Tags: john basilone, eugene sledge, lena basilone, lena mae riggi, lena mae basilone, annie parisse