11/11/2020
Five Star Strong honors Sergeant John Basilone. John was the first awardee of the Congressional Medal of Honor in WWII for his heroism on Guadalcanal, the first land victory over the Imperial Japanese forces in WWII, and he received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his heroism on Iwo Jima. He was the only Marine or Navy serviceman to receive all three of these awards. He was one of the very few Congressional Medal of Honor awardees in history to return to battle voluntarily and subsequently be killed in action. His heroism embodies the meaning of honor, duty, and service to our country. Please read John's Medal of Honor Citation below:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant John Manila John" Basilone (MCSN: 287506), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in the Lunga Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 24 - 25 October 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 gun crews, 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 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, 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 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.
