John Basilone’s story is truly Hollywood-worthy—that’s how vivid, powerful, and heroic it is. During World War II, he served in both the Army and the Marine Corps, and both branches proudly preserve the memory of his heroic deeds. Basilone is often called one of the toughest Marines in U.S. history. Today, service members frequently visit and pay tribute to his statue in Washington, D.C.
John Basilone became the only enlisted Marine to be awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Read more on new-york-yes to discover how this was possible and learn about the heroic actions of this ordinary guy.
Early Life and Army Service
Giovanni (John) Basilone was born on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. He was the sixth of ten children born to Italian-American parents Salvatore and Theadora Basilone. His father immigrated to the U.S. from Italy, while his mother grew up in New Jersey. They met at a church gathering and soon married.
In 1918, the Basilones moved to Raritan, New Jersey, which was sunnier and warmer than Buffalo. There, John attended St. Bernard’s Parochial School. He finished high school at 15 but decided not to continue his education. Initially, he worked as a golf caddy at a local country club. The 1930s were generally a time of prosperity and opportunity for strong, hardworking young people, so John wasn’t overly concerned about his future.
At 17, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army. He joined the 16th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jay, New York. After one day of discharge, he was re-enlisted into the 31st Infantry Regiment. John spent his last two years of service in the Philippines, where he became a boxing champion and earned the nickname “Manila John.” He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1937 as a private.
Upon returning to the U.S., Basilone worked as a truck driver in Maryland for a few years, but he eventually wanted to return to the Philippines. To get there faster, John decided to join the Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps: A New Chapter and the Medal of Honor
John Basilone became a Marine on July 11, 1940. He was sent to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, then to Quantico and New River. His first assignment as a Marine was at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In early 1941, Basilone was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and later that year, he was promoted to corporal.
Meanwhile, war had been raging in Europe for two years. U.S. leadership was still deliberating its next steps and potential involvement in the conflict. Everything changed with the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The country entered World War II, and John Basilone was deployed to the Pacific Theater.
In early 1942, he was promoted to sergeant, and in August, he and his comrades landed on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The Americans captured an airfield, later known as Henderson Field. The next two months were marked by fierce fighting as the Japanese sought to reclaim it.
In late October, approximately 20,000 Japanese soldiers launched an attack on the airfield’s defenders. The battalion, where John Basilone served under Lieutenant Colonel Chesty Puller, was assaulted by 3,000 soldiers from the Japanese Sendai Division, armed with machine guns, grenades, and mortars. Our hero bravely fought for the next three days, commanding two machine-gun sections. Besides him, only two other Marines survived. Ammunition was running low, and the enemy had cut off supply lines. Basilone managed to break through enemy lines in the rear to resupply his machine gunners. He also moved an additional gun into position and repaired a broken machine gun. From this weapon, he maintained constant, accurate fire on the Japanese, holding the defensive line until reinforcements arrived.
When his ammunition finally ran out, John held off the Japanese using his pistol and machete. By the end of the battle, he had virtually annihilated the Japanese forces advancing on his section. For these actions during the battle, John Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States. The official presentation of the Medal took place on May 21, 1943, and on June 1, he was promoted to platoon sergeant.
War Bond Tours and Marriage
In 1943, John Basilone returned to the United States. His hometown held a parade in his honor, which drew a massive crowd and made national news. The Marine became a popular figure, so the leadership decided to involve him in war bond tours to raise funds for the war effort.
Basilone appreciated the public’s admiration but also longed to return to the front lines, where he felt he was most needed. The Marine Corps initially denied his request. Basilone was then offered an officer’s commission and an instructor assignment, but this time, John declined.
His persistent request to return to the war was finally approved, and in late 1943, Basilone deployed to Camp Pendleton, California, where he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and subsequently re-enlisted in the Marine Corps.
In California, the military man met Lena Mae Riggi, a sergeant in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. The couple married in the summer of 1944 and managed to spend their honeymoon near Portland, Oregon.
Return to War and Heroic Death
Even after getting married, John Basilone didn’t abandon his desire to return to combat in the Pacific. This time, he was assigned to “Charlie” Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. This unit was preparing for the invasion of Iwo Jima.
When the invasion began, John was a machine gun section leader. As the Marines landed, the Japanese unleashed heavy fire from strongly fortified blockhouses. Basilone managed to flank the enemy positions and get above a blockhouse. From there, the American attacked the Japanese with grenades and demolition charges, destroying the entire stronghold. Basilone then pushed forward to the airfield and assisted a tank that was under heavy fire. He guided it to safety under intense enemy fire, and then he was killed.
Thanks to his heroic actions, the Marines were able to breach the Japanese defenses. John Basilone was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism.
John Basilone’s Legacy and Remembrance
Today, John Basilone remains one of the most revered World War II heroes in the United States. In 1945, the Gearing-class destroyer USS Basilone was launched, named in John Basilone’s honor. Several highways have also been named after him. In Raritan, the town where the war hero spent his childhood, the local high school football field, a bridge over the Raritan River, and an overpass in Somerville have all been named in his honor.
Since 1981, a parade has been organized annually in Raritan to celebrate John Basilone. In 2005, the U.S. Postal Service issued “Distinguished Marines” stamps featuring four Marine Corps heroes, including Gunnery Sergeant Basilone.
Additionally, a sculpture depicting John Basilone with a machine gun has been erected in Raritan. A memorial plaque dedicated to the military man can be found at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., and a bust stands in San Diego’s Little Italy.