Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, A Marine's Story
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, A Marine's Story
John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo. His family later relocated to Raritan, where he was raised and attended St. Bernard’s Parochial School through middle school. As a young man, Basilone worked as a golf caddie at a local country club, an unremarkable beginning for someone who would become one of the most renowned enlisted Marines in American history.
In 1934, Basilone enlisted in the United States Army, seeking opportunity beyond civilian life. He was assigned to the 31st Infantry Regiment and stationed in the Philippines. During his Army service, he distinguished himself as an inter-unit boxing champion, earning a reputation for discipline, toughness, and resilience. After completing his three-year enlistment, Basilone returned to New Jersey and worked briefly as a truck driver.
Civilian life, however, did not satisfy him. Wanting to return to overseas service, Basilone enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1940. He was initially assigned to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, where he trained as a machine gunner.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States’ entry into World War II, Basilone deployed to the Pacific. As a Gunnery Sergeant with the 1st Marine Division, he landed on Guadalcanal during one of the war’s most critical early campaigns.
On the night of October 24–25, 1942, during the Battle for Henderson Field, Basilone’s position came under attack by an estimated 3,000 Japanese soldiers. Commanding two sections of heavy machine guns, he held the line for nearly two days under relentless assault. When ammunition ran dangerously low, Basilone broke through enemy lines to resupply his gunners, returning again and again under fire. After his machine guns were finally disabled, he continued fighting with his sidearm and a machete until reinforcements arrived.
By the end of the engagement, Basilone and two other Marines were the only members of their position still standing. For his extraordinary valor and leadership, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Returning to the United States, Basilone became a national symbol of the war effort. Life magazine featured his story, and Raritan, New Jersey, held a parade in his honor. He toured the country selling war bonds, though the attention weighed heavily on him. Despite his fame, Basilone repeatedly requested a return to front-line duty.
In July 1944, his request was finally granted. Assigned to the 5th Marine Division, Basilone deployed to Iwo Jima.
On February 19, 1945, the first day of the battle, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was killed in action. As a machine gun section leader on Red Beach, he led his men through intense enemy fire, destroying hostile positions with grenades and demolition charges. When a U.S. tank became immobilized in a minefield near Airfield Number One, Basilone guided it to safety under fire. Moments later, he was struck and killed by enemy shrapnel.
John Basilone was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on Iwo Jima, making him one of the few Americans to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross.
He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone’s legacy endures not only in medals and memorials, but in the enduring example of an enlisted Marine who asked for nothing more than the chance to stand with his men.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
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