"I'm staying with my boys"

The Heroic Life of Sgt.John Basilone,USMC

Receive a 25% discount on the book and video (a $40 value),for only $29.95,(+s&h).

AND

Automatically be entered into a drawing for a week's accommodations near DISNEY-FLORIDA (this offers expires 5/15/04)

Order the Documentary ~ Order the Book

Ten years before Pearl Harbor, he foresaw that he in particular would have trouble with the Japanese.  He was not taken seriously.  Five years before Pearl Harbor, he foresaw that America would be at war with the Japanese.  He was dismissed by his family and friends as imagining things.  A few months before his own death on the beaches of Iwo Jima, he said that he would not be coming back.  He was scolded by his parents for saying such a terrible thing.

Part of the legend of John Basilone was his undefeated record of 19-0 as a light heavyweight prizefighter in the Army.  He became known as "Manila John" the handsome, iron-fisted fighter of a crack heavy machine gun unit.  After service in the Army, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.

He then received the Congressional Medal of Honor for holding an advancing Japanese elite regiment of 3,000 men at bay for 72 hours with only 15 men, of whom 12 were killed.  This helped turned the tide of the war for America by denying the enemy the critical Henderson Airfield on Guadalcanal and earned him the admiration of General Douglas MacArthur who called him a "...one man army". 

He was given a hero's welcome back home in America and personally offered any desk job in Washington by President Roosevelt.  But John  demanded to return to help guide his men in the continuing war.  He was killed on February 19, 1945, on the sands of Iwo Jima after destroying a Japanese gun emplacement and was awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart posthumously for his bravery.  

John Basilone was a hero of conscience and action.  His story is almost unbelievable because of his extraordinary fearlessness but it is nevertheless true.  John Basilone is an enduring inspiration to many Americans and one of the finest examples of the paradox of war; the hell that men create also creates a hero.

Recipient of:

The Medal of Honor
The Navy Cross
The Purple Heart

World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, American Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with Star, Presidential Unit Citation with Bar

World War II Citation - Medal of Honor
Sgt. John Basilone

Rank and Organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps.
Born: November 4, 1916; Buffalo, NY
Accredited to: New Jersey
Other Navy award: Navy Cross

 

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR  to Sergeant John Basilone United States Marine Corps

CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on October 24th and 25th, 1942.  While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sergeant  Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sergeant. Basilone's sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on.  Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived.  A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sergeant Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment.  His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

                                                       /S/ Franklin D. Roosevelt

---

World War II Citation - Navy Cross
The Secretary of the Navy

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
NAVY CROSS posthumously to
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone
United States Marine Corps
For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Leader of a Machine-Gun Section, Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advances was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, singlehandedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. Consistently daring and aggressive as he fought his way over the battle-torn beach and up the sloping, gun-studded terraces toward Airfield Number 1, he repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of exploding shells and later in the day coolly proceeded to the aid of a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages, skillfully guiding the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite the overwhelming volume of hostile fire. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. Stouthearted and indomitable, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone, by his intrepid initiative, outstanding skill, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of the fanatic opposition, contributed materially to the advance of his company during the early critical period of the assault, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the bitter conflict was an inspiration to his comrades and reflects the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant Basilone and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

For the President,
/s/ JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy

The Basilone Development Company will produce the only non-fictional, historical biography book of Sgt. John Basilone of approximately 250 pages in length and will also produce a VHS/DVD documentary of the story contained in the book.  The documentary will be approximately 60 minutes in length and will be sold separately, primarily in DVD format, with some sales in VHS format.  It is expected to be ready for sales during 2004.

The book and documentary will examine the early life, military career and personal motivations of Sgt.  Basilone.  These events will be integrated into the context of the era in order to convey the meaning and impact of Sgt. Basilone's life and heroic deeds.  The products are historically accurate representations of actual events from Sgt. Basilone's birth in 1916 to his death in 1945.

Email:
basilonedevelopment@roadrunner.com

Write:
Basilone Development Company
P.O. Box 6778
Hilton Head, SC  29938

Fax Number:
843-363-6202

" A lot has been written about my BROTHER in the war, but it's important to know his whole story. This book tells the story of John as a boy, a teenager and a man. Every student should study and learn from it."                       Signed-Carlo Basilone, Brother ----------------------------------------------------------------- " To understand the sacrifices of a hero like my UNCLE, Sgt. John Basilone,is to honor him. He paid the ultimate price. The least we can do is to remember what he did."                            Signed--Bill Brownson, Nephew ----------------------------------------------------------------- "All Marines are ordinary people, like John Basilone, my UNCLE, until the crucible of battle makes them into something finer. Sgt. Basilone's life story speaks for all those ordinary Marines, who are silent now, but whose actions still speak of extraordinary courage."                       Signed--Jerry Cutter,Nephew ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Everyone should read this Book, the story of a true American Hero, John Basilone. I SERVED with John and I can hear his voice in every page. It is him. It is Great!"                        Signed--Thomas O. Nass                                              5th Marine Division-WWII ------------------------------------------------------------------

The Official John Basilone U. S. Stamp Campaign
http://www.johnbasilonestampcampaign.com

Sgt. John Basilone Foundation, Inc.
http://www.sgtjohnbasilone.com