The story of Sgt. John Basilone's life is legendary within the Marine Corps and to people who have a historical interest in World War II.  His story is a classical American tale of a fun-loving but somewhat aimless youth, from a loving Italian family of 10 children in Raritan, NJ, who grew up to become the model of a hero.

SGT. BASILONE WAS THE ONLY ENLISTED MARINE IN WW 2 TO RECEIVE THE MEDAL OF HONOR, THE NAVY CROSS, AND THE PURPLE HEART

The Basilone Foundation is seeking DONATIONS to:

 (1) help present day Military and their families,

(2) to assist in bringing the life story of Sgt. Basilone's deeds

to the American Public and preserving this heroically important part of American history. 

About 95% of  Donations received are used to achieve our MISSION  of helping those that protect us. (See Mission Statement below)

Donations may be made to the Basilone Foundation

 OR 

to the Community Foundation  of the Lowcountry

(must mention Basilone's name).

                            You may reach the Basilone Foundation

 toll free at: 888-827-2762

email to: sgtjohnbasilone1@aol.com

or mail to: POB 6778, Hilton Head, SC 29938

TO ORDER HIS LIFE STORY, (BOOK OR DVD) PRESS HERE 

 The BOOK is written in the FIRST person, bringing Basilone to life!

The DOCUMENTARY MOVIE is NOT an audio book. It has interviews with family & Marines, Basilone in NYC, and his last hours on Iwo Jima. An extra feature includes navy combat footage on the Iwo Jima landing.

        - World premier at the :

 GI Film Festival , Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Niagara Film Festival, Buffalo, NY

    General Casey, Army Chief of Staff                   Gary Sinese, TV star of CSI-NY

           with Board  Director, JoAnn                                  with Board Director, JoAnn

Robert Duvall, Film actor with Board Director , Jerry

We strongly believe in preserving the Veteran's benefits of all men and women who have fought courageously and proudly for American freedom:

- Because of our dedicated service people, freedom still rings! 

- Because of our dedicated service people, many people around the world enjoy freedom today and their children will have the opportunity to spread freedom to each forthcoming generation.

      

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

Our mission is to devote our time and resources to assisting deployed military personnel and their families through our Emergency Assistance and Family Well Being Program and to provide academic scholarships to Jr. ROTC students going on to college.

Current Foundation

on-going programs:

---Two $1,000 college SCHOLARSHIPS were awarded to students from the  Hilton Head (S.C.) High School Navy Jr ROTC class of 2008.

Angela, Executive Director, presents scholarships to HHHS students,

David Pfeiffer and Thomas Bisca

 --- 2009 Foundation Scholarship winner of the $1,000 award was:

                        Sarah Copeland of the Battery Creek ROTC

present was Alan Calderon and Bill Mott from the Moss Creek Marines, Bluffton, SC

---TWO $1,000 Scholarship 2009 awards were also given to the

                                         Hilton Head H.S. ROTC:

Sean Skrasvig and Matthew Williams
 

---The Foundation distributes WEEKLY, FREE books, or DVD's, on Sgt. Basilone's life, to the HONOR graduates from BOOT camps at Parris Island, SC and San Diego, CA.  Over 1,000 gifts are made per year! This program is entering its third year. For more information on how you can help, or make a donation, please contact the Foundation.

---The Emergency Assistance and Family Well Being Program helps military families from all our armed forces cope with unexpected financial hardships. This program is specific to the need required.

---An OLDIES concert was held to benefit the INJURED MARINES SUPPORT UNITS at Camp Lejeune, NC and Camp Pendleton, CA. (contributions made 2006).

            Two Marines , Jeremy and Michael, enjoying Oldies Concert and meeting the Dukettes (left - right ~ JoAnn, Angela, Flora, and Alice) who are also Board members!

A Sock Hop was held to benefit the Injured Marines units

(2007)

Other Foundation Activities:

---Contribution to Marine Corps National Museum.

(engraved Brick Drive at Quantico-2005)

---Donation made to family of seriously wounded Army soldier to help defray expenses incurred to be near his hospital stay. (2007)

---Donation made to memorial fund for Sgt. Michael J. Wert, USMC, killed while saving two children from drowning. (2007)

--Donation made to West Orange, NJ First Aid Squad, in memorial for L/Cpl Edward "Augie" Schroeder, USMC, killed in Iraq, 8/3/05 (as requested by family) (2006)

---The John Basilone Scholarship in cooperation with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. (Contributions made)

Attendance at Reunions and Conferences from 2005 - 2008

     General  Lefebvre, USMC with Board                   General Amos, USMC with Board

     members, Jerry and JoAnn                                       members, Jerry and JoAnn

---Christmas packages to deployed armed forces troops ( 2005 - 2008)

---" Morale packages" sent to deployed military troops twice each year. (2005 - 2008)

---Assistance to needy Marine families of active duty Marines:

Contributions made to Marine Corps Community Services for:

     "Marine & Family Team Building Programs"  (2006) "Project Care Fund" (2005)

        Purchase of a "Reverse Osmosis" machine for an infant of a Marine-camp Pendleton, CA (2006)

---The John Basilone Scholarship Fund with UNICO(Contribution made)

---The renovation of John Basilone "Museum Room" in his home town Library in Raritan, NJ ( Project completed)

Basilone Room

---The John Basilone annual Parade in Raritan, NJ (Contributions made)

---Assistance toward  the refurbishment of the Basilone Memorial athletic field at the Bridgewater-Raritan High School, NJ.     (Contribution made) 

---The commerative stamp campaign to issue a US postage stamp in his honor. ( Stamp issued in November, 2005)

General Hagee, former Commandant of USMC

 at Stamp Ceremony with Board members, Jerry and JoAnn

---The preservation of the life story of John Basilone.

 ( Book and Documentary Film both published)

---Donation of a large BRONZE PLAQUE, of Sgt. Basilone presented to the US NAVY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION in Washington, DC (2006)

Press here to fill out the donation form

" I'm staying with my boys..."

The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC

To order the BOOK, for $19.95,plus s&h,

press here

OR

To order the DOCUMENTARY MOVIE 

  VHS for $19.95,plus s/h

DVD for only $24.95, plus s&h

Note: the movie is Not an audio book

press here

READ A FIVE STAR BOOK REVIEW FROM AMAZON.COM

This section is under construction

Background information on the military career of
Sgt. John Basilone

Prior to WW II, John joined the US Army and became known as "Manila John" because of his undefeated boxing record.  After discharge from the Army he enlisted in the Marines in 1940.

At Guadalcanal, he was ordered to hold back 3,000 Japanese troops attempting to capture Henderson airfield.  With only 15 men (12 subsequently killed) he held the line for 72 battle-filled hours - firing machine guns, fixing machine guns, and crawling through Japanese lines to obtain ammunition. A full Japanese regiment had been almost wiped out.

He was awarded the  Congressional Medal of Honor  and then ordered to return home for bond tours. However, John demanded to be returned with his men in the Pacific.  In the early invasion hours of Iwo Jima, after destroying a Japanese gun emplacement, he was killed on the beach.  He was awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his bravery

Acclaim

Gy/Sgt John Basilone is the only enlisted
Marine in WW II to be awarded:

The Medal of Honor

The Navy Cross, and The Purple Heart

ADDITIONALLY:

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

The John Basilone Development Company

(The only complete BOOK AND DOCUMENTARY MOVIE on Sgt. Basilone's life) 

http://www.johnbasilone.com           

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

http://www.marine-scholars.org

Marine Corps University Research Archives

http://www.mcu.usmc.mil/mcrcweb/archive/default.htm

The Fighting Fourth Marine Division Association

http://www.fightingfourth.com 

Good To Go Video

Marine Corps videos and recruit training videos 

http://www.goodtogovideo.com

Navy Seals

http://navyseals.com

Ears Open. Eyeballs, Click

A movie that captures life in basic training for the Marines with incredible clarity.

http://earsopeneyeballsclick.com

US Tactical, Inc.

Helps organizations shape their workforce, offers books, gear, etc.

http://ustactical.com

GI Film Festival

The only film festival dedicated to honoring those who serve.

http://gifilmfestival

Troop Space Network

A social network:

 By the troops, For the troops

http://troopspace.net