John shipped out one month after their wedding. Her parents were Italian immigrants. She is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in California; her husband John is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. During Womens History Month, todays Veteran Of The Day is Marine Corps Veteran Lena Basilone, who served during World War II. GARRY BASILONE OBITUARY. The telegram was sent in the name of General Alexander Vandegrift. She saw him as yet another patronizing Marine returning from war. He is often discussed in Marine Corps history classes but no one ever mentions that his wife was a Marine too. Gunnery Sgt. Click the links below for more Prints, Posters, Drawings and Paintings! Lena Mae Basilone, USMC(WR), widow of John Basilone, prepares to christen the destroyer USS Basilone (December 21, 1945) In February of 1945, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was back in the Pacific with the 5 th Marine Division, part of the invasion force for the invasion of Iwo Jima, known by the military code name Operation Detachment . Despite their supply lines' having been cut off by enemies in the rear, Basilone fought through hostile ground to resupply his heavy machine gunners with urgently needed ammunition. He was sent home to sell War . Basilone was born in his parents' home on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring. Growing up on her family's farm in Salem, Oregon, Lena Basilone was the daughter of Italian immigrants who instilled in her the values of hard work and self-reliance. John was attracted to the simpler things in life. 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. Parisse has also starred as Julia Snyder on the soap opera As the World Turns, for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award . When the last of it ran out shortly before dawn on the second day, Basilone, using his pistol and a machete, held off the Japanese soldiers attacking his position. Dorothy L. 'Dottie' Basilone Beloved grandmother, cousin and mother-in-law, 87 Dorothy L. "Dottie" (nee Tortoriello) Basilone, 87, of Union, N.J., passed away on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. She was the wife of John Basilone, one of the famous Marines every Marine Corps recruit learns about at boot camp. Subscribe To Obituaries. But the, Hawaiiscongressional delegation is asking theIRSto back off of families that were affected by the Red Hill water crisismany of them outraged that under current regulations the money they received from the military for temporary housing is considered income and that, The Pentagon has yet to issue a formal policy that would allow cadets at Americas service academies to continue their education if they have kids while enrolled, reversing existing rules that could lead them to get kicked out of school. After his request to return to the fleet was approved, Basilone was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. Just weeks after meeting, with Basilones inevitable return to the Pacific looming, the couple decided to get married on July 10, 1944 at St. Marys Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside, California. Falling in love with Lena Riggi, Basilone realized he would likely leave Pendelton sometime during the late summer of 1944. Just read his biography , thought it was an auto biography, turned a page and it says he died. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. Lena never remarried. And she was a sergeant, the rules against fraternizing [with enlisted female personnel] didn't apply." All Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries results for Lena Basilone. Lena Basilone's Obituary, this has some good info, click image for a larger view. Oops, something didn't work. In his book, Hero of the Pacific, Jim Brady tells us what happened to the check: She returned ten thousand dollars to the family. Visit ourblog post about nominatingto learn how to create the best submission. Her parents were Italian immigrants. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. He has received many honors including being the namesake for streets, military locations, and two United States Navy destroyers. In 2010, HBO produced a mini-series titled The Pacific, which portrayed the experiences of John and two of his comrades during World War II. During the fighting on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone's actions would result in him being awarded the Medal of Honor. For his actions during the battle, Basilone received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. In the mini series, he is portrayed as being shot through the chest and left arm and dying in pain. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite their section of the line had been virtually annihilated. E-Commerce Site for Mobius GPO Members The last destroyer built by the Consolidated Steel Corporation, DD 824, the USS Basilone slid down the way into the Sabine River. Her name was Lena Mae Riggi, a sergeant at the time serving as a field cook in the Marine Corps Womens Reserve. Basilone and his Marines made progress toward their objective an airfield on the island. Lena Basilone honorably discharged from the Marine Corps as a sergeant. He received the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal Campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Wife of GySgt. Riggi waited for the gossips to tire themselves out, looked at them and said, 'So what?' Learn how your comment data is processed. She is married to actor Paul Sparks and they have two children. He was very charming, good-looking, yet tough. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940, from Baltimore, Maryland. Editors: Theresa Lyon and Annabelle Colton, Retired Army Col. Paris Davis, 83, stood in the East Room of the White House on Friday as President Joe Biden draped the Medal of Honor around his neck, nearly six decades after he saved the lives of three fellow, Employment numbers suggest that veterans have taken advantage of a robust economy fueled by the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic and ample federal funding to record major success in the jobs market and start businesses of their own. Just three days after Lena's death a resolution was passed naming a 17 mile stretch of the San Diego (I-5) Freeway near Camp Pendleton 'Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Highway'.Although the Veterans Administration offered to bury Lena in Arlington Cemetery near her husband, she refused the offer saying she "didn't want to cause trouble for anyone". Basilone grew up in the nearby Raritan Town (now Borough of Raritan) where he attended St. Bernard Parochial School. We have set your language to Lena Basilone returns her late husband's Medal of Honor to his family.From HBO's "The Pacific", episode 10 of 10. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. She was 86. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death. When information is received regarding burial, you will be notified. As the battle went on, ammunition became critically low. On Dec. 21, 1945, Basilone attended the christening ceremony of the Navy destroyer USS Basilone, named in her husbands honor. After defending a narrow pass and annihilating an entire enemy regiment on the island of Guadalcanal in 1942, John was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? He later returned to the U.S. to help raise funds for bond drives. Born in Somerville on October 13, 1925, she resided in Raritan for over 65 years before relocating to South Plainfield. Here is Lena Basile's obituary. The grave of Lena Basilone. They talked about some things until Lena's fellow women arrived, marking the end of the date. Sister of James Riggi; Peter Riggi; Francis / Frank Riggi; Samuel Riggi and Paul Riggi. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the All Hands . Sun, Mar 21, 2010 60 mins. His name was John Basilone. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Her husband later said,[Lena] joined the Marine Corps because she wanted to be with the top outfit in the war effort.. Lena was a very determined lady, loved by many.when she saw a need, she would go about filling it, her friend Barbara Garner said in Basilones June 1999 obituary. Her fellow female Marines fawned over Basilone and his heroism but she wasnt impressed. Marine Sergeant Lena Basilone was the wife of Medal of Honor winner John Basilone. James Brady, in his book Hero of the Pacific, quotes Basilone's recollection of the first time he saw the woman he would marry: You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. God bless Sgt. Try again. PAUL IPPOLITO SUMMIT MEMORIAL 7 Summit Ave Summit, NJ 07901 Phone: (908) 273-1367 Andrea Ippolito, Mgr. She eventually joined her late husband in 1999, https://womenmarines.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/sgt-lena-mae-riggi-basilone/, Sgt Lena Basilone prepares to christen the Destroyer "USS BASILONE" named after her late husband. She learned of his death less than a month later on her 32nd birthday and traveled to her husbands hometown of Raritan, New Jersey, to present his parents with his Medal of Honor. Because Lena was John's closest family member, she received the money. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. In October, he and two other Marines used machine guns to hold off an attack by a far numerically superior Japanese force. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. VAs #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service. : John Basilone 1916 114 - 1945 219. You can always change this later in your Account settings. One important event that Lena never lived to see was the dedication of a 17-mile stretch of the San Diego (5) Freeway near Camp Pendleton, to be named Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Freeway. The official word that the resolution passed came Monday, just three days after her death. Basilone passed away in June 1999 at the age of 86. His five older siblings were born in Raritan, New Jersey, before the family moved to Buffalo when John was born; they returned to Raritan in 1918. They were married at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside, California, on July 10, with a reception at the Carlsbad Hotel. Basilone returned to the Pacific to continue fighting in the war. It is generally accepted in the majority of sources that Basilone was killed instantly by a mortar. She soon dedicated a destroyer called the USS Basilone to the Navy. A homemaker, Nina enjoyed gardening and especially cooking eggplant parmesan, roasted red peppers and homemade tomato sauce . An official website of theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Looking for U.S. government information and services? You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. John and Lena seemingly fell in love overnight. Like her husband, she exemplified Semper Fidelis. Growing up on her familys farm in Salem, Oregon, Lena Basilone was the daughter of Italian immigrants who instilled in her the values of hard work and self-reliance. cemeteries found in Riverside, Riverside County, California, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The homecoming parade occurred on Sunday, September 19 and drew a huge crowd with thousands of people, including politicians, celebrities, and the national press. Copyright 2018 @ USS Basilone DDE/DD 824 Design & Developed by Buy Wordpress Templates, (November 4, 1916 February 19, 1945) was a. But before he left, a romance blossomed between him and Lena. If you want to learn more about John and Lena Basilone, watch the superb miniseries "The Pacific." Some time ago, I met an elderly man. According to the funeral . WASNT HE AN E7 GUNNERY SARGENT NOT AN E5 SGT. It is stories like John and Lenas that teach us about the foundations of trust, commitment, and sacrifice on which military relationships are built and remind us to cherish the time we have with the ones we love. OBITUARY Angelo Basilone November 20, 1947 - January 27, 2022. She also was a faithful member of the Liberty Baptist Church of Long Beach. Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries. Her final resting place is at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. Marine Sergeant Lena Basilone was the wife of Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone,one of the famous Marines every Marine Corps recruit learns about at boot camp. From her Find-A-Grave entry and her obituary: Lena Mae Riggi was born on March 7, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. Following basic training, Basilone served at Camp Pendleton, California, where she worked as a field cook and met fellow Marine John Basilone. Annie Parisse (born Annie Marie Cancelmi July 31, 1975 in Anchorage, Alaska) is an American actress best known for Law & Order, As the World Turns, and The Following. She had declined the federal government's offer of a burial spot, near her husband's, at Arlington. His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. I asked if he had known Basilone. At least I wanted a few days, or weeks if I could get it, to know what it was like to be married. John Basilone's relationship with Lena Mae Basilone ended when John Basilone died on February 19, 1945. Lena Mae Riggi was born March 7, 1916 in Portland, Ore. to Italian Sicilian immigrants. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. She was also a Marine sergeant (albeit reservist) who had one less stripe than John. United States Marine Corps Women Reserves. did john basilone sleep with virginia grey . There was nothing on it. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. He eventually met his wife in the serving line of a chow hall on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. She was stationed at Camp Pendleton where she served as a field cook on the base attaining the rank of Sergeant. She once told Barbara: Once you have the best, you cant settle for less. She purchased a home in Lakewood and stayed there for over 50 years until her death. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. NJ Lic. John R Basilone Obituary. It tells us that she never remarried, after the Iwo Jima death of her husband, John Basilone. I nodded and she might have nodded, or not, but she wasn't falling all over herself, to get to know me. Page 731-Exchange ideas and thoughts with your Band of Brothers. Annie Parisse and Jon Seda, as Lena Riggi and John Basilone. He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. At the end of the day, after the cameras stopped flashing and parades came to an end, Basilone was a traditional man. If the name does not sound familiar, you may recognize her married name: Basilone. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. . Learn more about managing a memorial . He deployed with the 1st Marine Division in December 1944, and in February 1945, he participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima and died in battle. I told her, 'I'm coming back,' and she believed me." PAUL IPPOLITO BERKELEY MEMORIAL 646 Springfield Ave Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 Phone: (908) 277-6446 He then fought his way toward Airfield Number 1 and aided a Marine tank that was trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages. In 21 Dec 1945 Lena christened a Navy destroyer ship named the USS Basilone in her husband's honor. After he was released from active duty, Basilone returned home and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. Peter Riggi, Paul Riggi, Jim Riggi, Frank Riggi, Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, California 92518, USA, Mar 7 1913 - Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, USA, June 11 1999 - Lakewood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America, James Riggi, <<Private>> Riggi (born Serdena), Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California, United States, Mar 7 1913 - Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, United States, June 11 1999 - Lakewood, Los Angeles, California, United States, James Diodata "Jim" Riggi, Virgina Riggi (born Lazzaro), Frank Riggi, Peter " Pete" Riggi, Samuel Riggi, James Riggi, Paul Riggi, James Riggi, Virgina Riggi (born Serdena), Lakewood, Los Angeles, California, United States, Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States. Lena christens the USS Basilone after John's death. Her parents were Italian immigrants. Verify and try again. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. John Basilone pictured with their wedding party on July 7, 1944 at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Oceanside, Calif. Camp Pendleton Women Marines . There was a problem getting your location. In 1943, Basilone returned to the United States and participated in war bond tours. He went to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, followed by training at Marine Corps Base Quantico and New River. The parade made national news in LIFE magazine and Fox Movietone News. Sorry! She spent the remaining 54 years of her life in California where she would continue serving in the Marine Corps and volunteering throughout her community. He spent his years growing up in Stephen Crane Village where he made many memories that . Lock Edit your search or learn more, Year start date must be less than year end date, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, United States of America, Lakewood, Los Angeles County, California, United States of America, 7 Mar 1913 Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, United States of America, 11 Jun 1999 Lakewood, Los Angeles County, California, United States of America, U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Willamette Valley, Oregon, U.S., Death Records, 1838-2006, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010, U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current, New Jersey, U.S., Death Index, 1848-1878, 1901-2017, Philippines, Select Deaths and Burials, 1726-1957, Ohio, U.S., Death Records, 1908-1932, 1938-2018, Do not sell or share my personal information. Basilone did not give up, however, and he invited Lena to dinner at a fancy restaurant while training some recruits in the 5th Marine Division. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. In February 1945, he was killed in action on the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima, after he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse and led a Marine tank under fire safely through a minefield.
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