La Jolla in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
John “Manila John” Basilone
Photographed by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret), February 21, 2025
1. John “Manila John” Basilone Marker
John “Manila John” Basilone
Gunnery Sergeant
US Army-US Marine Corps World War II KIA 19 February 1945
"I'm staying with my boys."
Medals-Ribbons: Navy Presidential Unit Citation (2), Marine Corps Good Conduct, American Defense Service (2), American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (3), World War II Victory
Gunnery Sergeant Basilone received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II.
Erected 2025 by 5th Marine Division.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients, the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 19, 1945.
Location. 32° 50.388′ N, 117° 14.676′ W. Memorial is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County.
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park (approx. 1.8 miles away); San Diego Bottom Scratchers Dive Club (approx. 1.8 miles away); La Jolla Woman’s Club Building (approx. 1.9 miles away); St. James-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church Fountain (approx. 1.9 miles away); Ellen Browning Scripps (approx. 2 miles away); Washington to Baltimore 1844 Telegraph Message (approx. 2½ miles
Photographed by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret), February 21, 2025
2. John “Manila John” Basilone Marker is one of many at Mt. Soledad
More about this memorial. The Basilone marker faces north towards Camp Pendleton.
Also see . . . John Basilone (Wikipedia). Overview:
John Basilone (November 4, 1916 – February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II.(Submitted on February 28, 2025.)
Photographed by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret), February 21, 2025
3. Mt Soledad description marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2025, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on March 17, 2025, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. Photos: 1. submitted on February 21, 2025, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. 2, 3. submitted on February 22, 2025, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
