USS John Basilone USS-DDG122 Launched
 

The Navy christened the USS John Basilone, DDG-122on Friday. 'Manila John' distinguished himself during Guadalcanal earning the MoH. He came home a celebrity but not satisfied he asked for and received orders back to combat. He was clearing block houses and killing Japs during the initial invasion of Iwo Jima on 19 June 1945 and was KIA. American hero, RIP. Ryan Manion, sister of Travis Manion, 1st Recon Bn, KIA Fallujah, 2007 is the ships sposor. Basilone's wife Sgt Lena Riggi Basilone never re-married and passed in 1999. She is buried at Riverside Nat'l Cemetery.

[url]https://news.usni.org/2022/06/20/video-christening-of-destroyer-john-basilone[/url]

A fantastic tribute to a heroic man. I recently read an account of his adventures on Guadalcanal and his demise on Iwo. I believe few men left today would do what he did.

True hero.

About god damned time.

Can't believe the number of Navy ships that have fucktard names.

A great honor and tribute for a great man.

I read a couple of biographies about him and he seemed like such a great guy.

He was one of a family of ten children. Born in Buffalo, New York, on 4 November 1916, he went to St. Bernard Parochial School in Raritan and enlisted in the Army at the age of 18. After completing his three-year enlistment he came home and went to work as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland.

In July 1940 he enlisted in the Marine Corps in Baltimore, Maryland. Before going to the Solomon Islands he saw service at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in addition to training at the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia; Parris Island, South Carolina; and New River (Later Camp Lejeune), North Carolina

He is also the only enlisted Marine in WW2 to be awarded both the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross.

[QUOTE=8654maine;1058983825]True hero.

About god damned time.

Can't believe the number of Navy ships that have fucktard names.[/QUOTE]

Could not have said it better myself… this^^

[QUOTE=8654maine;1058983825]True hero.

About god damned time.

Can't believe the number of Navy ships that have fucktard names.[/QUOTE]

He had a destroyer named after him late1940'-mid 1970's but I agree, need to have more ships named after war hero's.

Semper Fi.

It's nice to see the Arliegh Burke class still underway. As I understand it, it's one helluva versatile class.

There is a relative of John basilone that lives in Edmond Oklahoma