Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. Now this is a really interesting story of bravery and valor that makes you proud to be an American. John Basilone first started his military career in the U.S. Army, serving a 3 year term of service in the Philippines where he was also a champion boxer. When he was discharged he joined the Marines wanting to get back to Manila. He went from Parris Island, to GITMO, to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, where a fierce battle was being fought. During the battle for Henderson Field, Basilones unit came under attack and were cut off by 3000 Japanese soldiers. For two days his unit held of the attack until only Basilone and two other Marines remained, even so they were able to hold off the Japanese until reinforcements arrived. When Basilone had run out of ammo for the heavy machine guns he used his 45. Basilone was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and courage under fire. He became a national hero and was taken from combat to tour the US to lift morale on the home front and even got married in 1944. This however didnt suit Basilone and after finally appealing to his superiors he was allowed to return to active duty in the Pacific Theater. He led a machine gun section in the battle of Iwo Jima. His unit was pinned down by fire from Japanese bunkers so he charged them and blew them all to hell using hand grenades and demolition charges. He was later killed by mortar fire when assaulting one of the islands airfields. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions becoming the only enlisted marine in WWII to do so. Man this guy was a bada$$!
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 07:15:57 +0000
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