John Basilone

🇺🇲 WWII uncovered: The Marines of Iwo Jima: Corporal Ira Hayes

Ira Hamilton Hayes, of Bapchule Arizona, filled out his draft card on June 30, 1942 with full intentions of becoming a US Marine. He was 19 years old. On August 26, 1942 Ira formally enlisted with the US Marine Corps and completed basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego.

Hayes completed Parachute Training School at Camp Gillespie in San Diego and he was promoted to Private First Class. On December 2, 1943 Ira was assigned to Company B, 3d Parachute Battalion, Divisional Special Troops, 3d Marine Division, at Camp Elliott, California, with which he sailed for Noumea, New Caledonia, on March 14. The 3rd parachute battalion was redesignated as Company K, 3rd Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment. On December 4, Hayes landed with Company K, and served as a BAR man during battle at Bougainville. After the 1st Parachute Regiment was disbanded Hayes was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment of the newly activated 5th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. On February 19, 1945 Hayes arrived on Iwo Jima and remained until March 26th. Ira Hayes was one of five Marines remaining from his platoon of 45 men, including their corpsmen at the time of his departure.

According to the Veterans Administration: "In November 1954, the US Marine Corps War Memorial was unveiled at a dedication ceremony in Washington, D.C. President Dwight Eisenhower praised the Pima Marine as “a national war hero.” Just 10 weeks later, on January 24, 1955 Ira Hayes died near his home in Sacaton, Arizona. Ira was 32 years old at the time of his passing." (VAntage Point Blog November 21, 2019)

Corporal Ira Hayes lies in rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Lest We Forget.



Original description and photo sourced by USMC Archive, Veterans Administration Blog VAntage Point and ancestry.com

Eighty years ago today, Imperial Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on U.S. Forces on the island of Oahu, focused on Naval Station Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 Americans and wounding another 1,178. The attack sunk 12 ships. Fifteen Medals of Honor were awarded for heroism during the attack.

Pearl Harbor, 80 Year Later - The National Medal of Honor Museum The Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, instantaneously plunged thousands of young American servicemen into the chaos and...

On this 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, we remember and honor the 2,403 American lives lost on that infamous day.

We are indebted to the Greatest Generation for their perseverance, determination, and dedication to defending freedom and destroying fascism both here, and across the globe.

We will never forget.

Private First Class Jacklyn H. Lucas: Medal of Honor Series | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans In the bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history, 27 Marines and sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for action on Iwo Jima. No other campaign surpassed that number.

🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Memorial Day 2021: Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone

John Basilone, of Raritan New Jersey, was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty 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.

⭐Sergeant Basilone's Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, 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 Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 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, Sgt. 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.

⭐Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's Navy Cross citation reads as follows:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Leader of a Machine-Gun Section, Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. Consistently daring and aggressive as he fought his way over the battle-torn beach and up the sloping, gun-studded terraces toward Airfield Number 1, he repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of exploding shells and later in the day coolly proceeded to the aid of a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages, skillfully guiding the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite the overwhelming volume of hostile fire. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. Stouthearted and indomitable, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone, by his intrepid initiative, outstanding skill, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of the fanatic opposition, contributed materially to the advance of his company during the early critical period of the assault, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the bitter conflict was an inspiration to his comrades and reflects the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant Basilone and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

John Basilone gave his life for his country on February 19, 1945 at the age of 28. He lies in rest at the Arlington National Cemetery. Lest We Forget.




Original description and photo sourced by marinecorpstime.com, US National Archives and militarytimes.com

US Marine Ira Hayes points to himself on the "Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima" photo.

Hayes had a tragic and short life after the war, he was found dead lying near an abandoned adobe hut in Sacaton, Arizona, in 1955, aged 32. He died of exposure to cold and alcohol poisoning.

On this day in history, the Battle of Iwo Jima ended with nearly 7,000 U.S. Marine deaths and 20,000 wounded, making the Battle of Iwo Jima one of the most brutal battles of World War II.
Today we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”
— Chester W. Nimitz, Fleet Admiral of the U.S. Navy & Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II.

(U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Betzabeth Y. Galvan)

Iwo Jima The Battle of Iwo Jima was an epic military campaign between U.S. Marines and the Imperial Army of Japan in early 1945. Located 750 miles off the coast of

76 years ago today: The Battle of Iwo Jima.

Last year on its 75th anniversary, we spoke with veterans and their families who remembered it.

STORY: https://wjla.com/news/local/veterans-remember-battle-of-iwo-jima-on-75th-anniversary