The Epitome of Honor

Those of us whom are former combat Marines understand better then anyone else the debt of honor earned by those Marines who shed their blood on foreign soil and did not return home to their families. Recently the HBO mini-series, “The Pacific", from the book authored by Hugh Ambrose rekindled my reverence for John Basilone’s memory. I read in reviews that in preparation for the mini-series researchers discovered that John Basilone was not killed by a Japanese mortar as originally thought. Instead, Gunny Basilone was killed by small arms fire that hit him in the right groin, the neck and took off his left arm completely.

During the Battle for Henderson Field, on Guadalcanal, John Basilone’s unit came under attack by a Japanese regiment of approximately three thousand soldiers from the Sendai Division. Historians have recorded the attack occurring on 24 October 1942, in which Japanese troops commenced a frontal attack using machine guns and mortars against Basilone’s two sections of machine guns. The battle lasted for two days. In the end until Basilone and two other Marines remained alive.

Basilone continued to fight by moving an extra gun into position and continued to fire upon the incoming Japanese. During this time he repaired and manned another machine gun that enabled him to hold the defensive line until replacements arrived. As battle raged, a shortage of ammunition occurred. Cut off from his headquarters’ base and supplies, Basilone fought through American lines that had been overrun in order to resupply his machine gunners.

It is reported that the following morning Basilone fought Japanese soldiers using only a .45 pistol. At the end of the battle the Japanese regiment had been destroyed. For his actions during this battle, John Basilone received the Medal of Honor.

Subsequent to his tour of duty on Guadalcanal Gunnery Sgt. Basilone was sent back to the United States to participate in the promotion of War Bonds sales to finance the war. Longing to return to action he requested to return to the combat. He was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion,  27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division that participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima.

On February 19, 1945, he was a machine gun section leader fighting on Red Beach II. His unit became pinned down so John Basilone maneuvered his way around the Japanese position. He then attacked and single-handedly destroyed their strength. He then fought his way toward Airfield Number 1. As he moved along the edge of the airfield, small arms fire struck him and killed him. For his valor during the battle of Iwo Jima, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the Marine Corps second highest award.


John Basilone is a role model for the honor that men under fire that rise to the occasion time and time again.Gunnery Sgt. Basilone is interred in Arlington National Cemetery. His grave can be found in Section 12, Grave 384, Grid Y/Z 23.5.

God be with him.

Darryl Laws is the Managing Member at Jermyn Street Capital LLC.