AMAZING HONOR AND SACRIFICE
Men of Honor
One quarter of all the Marines lost in World War II died on Iwo Jima. Twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded (5 Navy, 22 Marines) to those who fought in the battle, the most in Marine Corps history.
John Basilone
Sgt. John Basilone is the only Marine enlisted man to receive both the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor. Basilone was given the MOH for his heroism at the Battle of Guadalcanal in
1942. Basilone trained Marines at Camp Pendleton, where an entrance to the base is named in his honor. Basilone opted to return to the front line in 1944. He was married and shipped out the night after his honeymoon. Basilone died on Feb. 19, 1945, on Iwo Jima.
Basilone's Navy cross citation: “Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated
fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sgt. Baslione 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, single handedly 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.”
Basilone is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and his wife, who never remarried, is buried in Riverside.