Amazing Story, Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone Medal Of Honor Recipient

[twyacht]

For the Spielberg/Hanks "The Pacific" on HBO, despite both being Liberals, and even being accused of exploiting "Old Veterans" for their personal gain, the HISTORY is not in question. What started as 15 Marines, against 3000 enemy soldiers, even down to the last three men, they were relentless.

This is for Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone. Medal of Honor Recipient, re-enlisted, and died on Iwo Jima.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Basilone

excerpt:

While on Guadalcanal his fellow Marines gave him the nickname "Manila John" due to his former service in the Philippines.[3]  On October 24, 1942 his unit engaged the Japanese in the Lunga area when their position came under attack by a regiment of approximately 3000 soldiers. The Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine-guns, grenades and mortars against the American heavy machine-guns. The American forces fought for the next 48 hours until only Basilone and two other men from his squad were still able to continue fighting. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. He repaired another machine-gun and personally manned it, holding the defensive line until replacements arrived. With the continuous fighting, ammunition became critically low and supply lines were cut off. Basilone fought through hostile lines and returned with urgently needed ammunition for his gunners. By the end of the battle, the Japanese regiment was virtually annihilated. For his actions during this battle he received the United States military's highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor.[4]

Afterwards Private First Class Nash W. Phillips, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, recalled him from the battle for Guadalcanal: "Basilone had a machine gun on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest or food". "He was in a good emplacement, and causing the Japs lots of trouble, not only firing his machine gun but also using his pistol."[3]


more at link,

If there was ever a Marine, I would think Basilone, did it old school, and his story needs to be taught, remembered, and reminded to those too young.

If I taught American History, we would have month long lessons, about true American Heroes.

Thank you Gunnery Sgt. Basilone, and all the men who fought and died with you.  Lest We Forget.

[tombogan03884]

It was actually DOGGIE Manila John, since his Phillipine service was with the Army.
The post also neglects to mention that Sgt Basilone is best known in the Corps as a Mortar man for hitting a Japanese vessel with a mortar round (A destroyer that was shelling the beach IIRC )
Doggy John was not an especially pleasant person, but men like he and Mitch Paige epitomized the "OLD BREED".

[twyacht]

He appreciated the admiration but felt out of place and wanted to return to life as a Marine so he requested to go back to the war.

There Are Two Types of People: MARINES and Those Who Wish They Were

We Deliver More Destruction Overnight Than Those Who Deliver Overnight

Deadliest Weapon In The World -- A Marine And His Rifle

Marines Never Die -- They Just Go To Hell And Re-Group

Ever wonder why the Marines don't have a football team like the Army, Navy or Air Force?
We're here to protect a country, not a quarterback

That about sums it up...

"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank GOD for the United States Marine Corps."
Eleanor Roosevelt, 1945

[tombogan03884]

   GUNG HO !
To be honest, as in the real world, Navy deploys Marines as part of their team  

[dipisc]

Hello;

     It should also be mentioned that the Marine Corps wanted to commission Basilone an Officer and he turned it down. They wanted him to go on Bond raising tours and turned it down. He wanted to get back to the Fleet Marine Force and win the war.

     We should also remember that our current warriors are also serving multiple deployments overseas defending this country as did a lot of Vietnam Vet's who served 2-3-4 tours there.

     As long as this country produces men and women such as these - we here in the states can sleep well at night. We here just have to make sure that the Vet's are not shuffled to the rear behind those who did/do not want to serve.

[Sponsor]