Raritan in Somerset County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John Basilone
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
— Hero Of Guadalcanal —
Photographed By Alan Edelson, March 12, 2009
1. John Basilone Monument - Front Inscription
Inscription.
John Basilone. Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Marker Front:
Born in Buffalo NY, Novemver 4, 1916 Enlisted from Raritan, N.J., July 11, 1940 Awarded Congressional Medal Of Honor for Heroic Action on October 24, 25, 1942 Volunteered again for combat, Dec. 27, 1943 Killed in action on Iwo Jima, Feb. 19, 1945. Marker Reverse:
Congressional Medal Of Honor Citation. For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in the Lunga area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on October 24 and 25, 1942., While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sergeant Basilone, in charge of two sections of heavy machineguns, 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 guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only two men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under contiunual 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 a 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.. Franklin D. Roosevelt President United States
Marker Front:
Born in Buffalo NY, Novemver 4, 1916
Enlisted from Raritan, N.J., July 11, 1940
Awarded Congressional Medal Of Honor for Heroic Action on October 24, 25, 1942
Volunteered again for combat, Dec. 27, 1943
Killed in action on Iwo Jima, Feb. 19, 1945
Marker Reverse:
Congressional Medal Of Honor Citation
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in the Lunga area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on October 24 and 25, 1942.
While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sergeant Basilone, in charge of two sections of heavy machineguns, 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 guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only two men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under contiunual 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
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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 a 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.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
President United States
Erected 1948 by The American Legion - John Basilone Post No. 280.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1765.
Location. 40° 33.898′ N, 74° 38.364′ W. Marker is in Raritan, New Jersey, in Somerset County. Marker is at the intersection of Old York Road and Canal Street, in the median on Old York Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Raritan NJ 08869, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. "Manila" John Basilone. America's Hero - The Sergeant York of WWII (Submitted on March 16, 2009, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey.)
3. The artist, Philip Orlando. (Submitted on February 26, 2010, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey.) 4. The unveiling of the statue. (Submitted on February 26, 2010, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey.)
Additional commentary. 1. Medal of Honor Citation Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps.
Born: 4 November 1916, Buffalo, New York.
Accredited to: New Jersey.
Other Navy award: Navy Cross.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism
Photographed By Alan Edelson, March 12, 2009
3. John Basilone Monument
and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machineguns, 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 Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its guncrews, 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, Sgt. 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 U.S. Naval Service.
— Submitted March 16, 2009, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp.,
Photographed By Alan Edelson, March 12, 2009
4. John Basilone Monument - Left Side Plaque
Erected By John Basilone Post, No. 280
The American Legion
With Public Donations and Post Funds
To Honor The Immortal Hero of Guadalcanal
Sergeant John Basilone
New Jersey.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2009, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey. This page has been viewed 4,851 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 13, 2009, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
New Jersey. 
