One Man to Save a Nation

Sergeant John “Manila John” Basilone had courage and a love for his Nation that were unlike any other. “Manila John,” who received his nick mane because of his service in the Philippines, was one of the most notable Marines to date. A tattoo across his arm was the embodiment of everything he did: “Death before Dishonor.” He stood by his men, never left their side no matter what forged ahead, and stayed with them until the moment he died. But before then, he was a Medal of Honor winner, a husband, and a friend.

Basilone was the platoon sergeant of the heavy .30-caliber machine gun platoon attached to Co. C, 7^th Marines, 1^stMarDiv. On the night of October 24, 1942 he engrained himself into American history and into the hearts of those he protected and served. Although vastly outnumbered, he and his fellow Marines held the Japanese assault. Basilone was behind every gunner – clearing jams, calming nerves, replacing parts, and repositioning guns. He never left his men without assistance. He was the tie that bound those men together and for that he earned the Medal of Honor. Basilone was an instant star. After retuning from war, he toured the country and met beautiful Hollywood starlets. After being kissed on the cheek by one of the young ladies, Basilone made the cover of Life magazine.

To millions, Basilone was a hero, but to those who knew him closely he was more than that. A handsome, young Italian-American, Basilone was both charming and quiet. Tall, dark, and handsome, his parents could not help but beam with pride when they spoke of their all-American soldier. He was undoubtedly the most famous Marine of our time. He was the only Marine in World War II to have received the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and a Purple Heart.

The Final Battle, the Last Stand

“Manila John” had already proved himself as a worthy Marine. He had the opportunity to stay stateside training troops and selling war bonds. He grew restless as his discovered he still had a fight left within him. He once quoted as saying, “After about six months of tours and speeches I found myself doing guard duty at Washington D.C., Navy Yard. I feel like a museum piece. It seemed ages ago since I’d left the South Pacific the previous summer. Washington was a pleasant place. But I wasn’t very happy. I wanted to get back to the machine guns. I felt out of things. I’ve done three years of duty in the Philippines, and it has been my ambition ever since Pearl Harbor to be with the outfit that recaptured Manila. I kept thinking of how awful it would be if some Marines made a landing on Dewey Boulevard on the Manila waterfront and Manila John Basilone wasn’t among them.” So Basilone went back to battle serving with the Fifth Division in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

On February 19, 1945, Basilone would find himself dying for the country and men he loved so dear. Ninety minutes into the invasion, it was clear that the division was in trouble. One sergeant was quoted as screaming, “C’mon, you guys! Let’s get these guns off the beach!” It was to no avail. The gunners with their backs hunkered low and strained to forge ahead under the heavy load of weapons, ammunition, and blistering gun fire. The noise of what was to come was both terrifying and eerie for the gunners: an incoming mortar with a shattering blast would take Basilone down. He and four other died in an artillery blast. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart. Basilone died as the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive all three medals.

His body later was reburied at Arlington National Cemetery. Upon his death, a life-size bronze statue was erected in his hometown Raritan, New Jersey. Basilone stands tall in his battle dress with a machine gun in his arms, a statue that matched the man in both honor and likeness.