Jim Proser - Im Staying with My Boys: The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC

Table of Contents

T here are many people to thank for their generous efforts in making this book possible: The Sgt. John Basilone Foundation for its support; Kelly and Susan Murphy for their generous efforts copyediting; Col. Ken Jordan, USMC (ret.) for his technical advice and encouragement; Sgt. Basilones nephew, Jerry Cutter for his research, financial expertise and wise counsel; the Basilone family including Bill Brownsona nephew, Sgt. Basilones sister and two brothersPhyllis Basilone Cutter, Carlo and Donald Basilonefor providing personal materials and memoirs; the people of Raritan who were so generous with their time and the use of the Raritan Library. Special thanks to residents in the Raritan area and those who continue to honor Sgt. Basilone including Peter Ippolito, Anthony Cucci, John Pacifico, Marie Porcaro, Rocco Fischetti, Charles Franchino, Jim Foohey and fellow Basilone author Bruce Doorly. Thanks also to Jordan Jaffe Schneider of the Basilone Stamp Campaign for her dedication to the memory of Sgt. Basilone and assistance with locating people for this book. Ed Schwallie deserves special thanks for his early support of the book.

As always many veterans shouldered the burden. This time instead of fighting the war, they volunteered to make this account of it as accurate as possible by answering lots of late-night phone calls about small details of equipment and tactics and by reading early drafts of the manuscript. Sincere thanks to Tom Nass, Adolf Brusa, Warren Sessler, Don Richter, Roy Roush, Kevin Henry, Art Karin, Bryon Doenges, Bob Hansen, Col. Jerry Brown, John Blankenship, Frank Taylor, Chuck Tatum, Dr. Gary SolisChief of the Marine Corps Oral History unit, Fritz Gemeinhardt, Charlie Bateman, Woody Williams, Clifton Weathers and Bernie Dobbins.

Warmest personal thanks to my wife, Adoley Odunton Proser and JoAnn Cutter, wife of my partner, Jerry Cutter for their loving support and time given to reviewing the manuscript, fielding phone calls and listening to problems.

Most importantly, as Sgt. Basilone would insist, special thanks and gratitude to the men and women of the armed forces who endure the hardships, fight, suffer and die for each other and freedom. We, the free, salute you.

S ergeant John Basilone was killed by an enemy mortar round at approximately 10:45 A.M. on February 19, 1945. He suffered massive abdominal wounds but lingered for approximately twenty minutes before succumbing from shock and loss of blood. Four Marines died from the same explosion. His last words were spoken to a Navy corpsman who attended to him following the explosion. That corpsman has vowed never to reveal those final words.

For his fearless leadership, his daring attack on the enemy bunker and successful capture of the first objective of C Company on Iwo Jima, he was awarded the Navys highest honor, the Navy Cross. He also received the Purple Heart for wounds received that day. Sgt. Basilone is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in section 12, grave 384.

Sgt. Basilones wife Lena never remarried. She continued to be active in veterans affairs until her death in June 1999 at age 86. Brother Carlo Basilone still lives in Raritan, New Jersey and brother Donald Basilone lives in Florida. Sister Phyllis Basilone Cutter who wrote the original, The Basilone Story , the basis of this book, passedaway on August 14, 2004. No other siblings of John Basilone still survive.

Sgt. Basilone has become, like his mentor Chesty Puller, a legend in the Marine Corps. At the entrance to his hometown of Raritan, New Jersey, a bronze statue of him stands silent guard, on a small median strip. The section of Interstate Route 5 that passes by Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California is called the Basilone Memorial Highway. His heroic exploits are recounted for every new Marine as a part of their education in the finest traditions of the Corps.

Sgt. Basilone in his personal humility and unwavering dedication to the men who served with him, became a true hero of the American people during World War II. His courage eased their fears during many dark hours when the outcome of the war was uncertain. His cheerful, good nature in spite of his own psychological and physical suffering gave them hope. His tireless service, whether fighting or rallying support for the troops helped Americans bear the hardships of wartime.

America owes a debt of remembrance to Sgt. Basilone and all the thousands of men and women who served to protect the country against the determined enemies of World War II. To remember their sacrifices is to honor them.

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