M
edal of Honor Recipient
Timeline
Birth- Nov 4, 1916
Buffalo, New York
New Jersey
Birth- Nov 4, 1916
Birth
Buffalo, Erie County, New York, United States of America
Birth- Nov 4, 1916
Buffalo, Erie County, New York, United States of America
Death
Feb 19, 1945
Death
Iwo Jima, Ogasawara-shichō, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan
1775 - 2099Other Service- Ages: 20 - 17 years
Branch
Army
Conflict Period
Other Service
Service End Date
1937
Service Start Date
1934
Duty Station
Philippines
Served For
United States of America
Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
Battalion
1st Battalion
Company
Company "D"
Award
Gold Star
1939 - 1945World War II- Ages: 28 - 24 years
Service Number
287506
Awards
Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Purple Heart
Conflict Period
World War II
Rank
Gunnery Sergeant
Unit 1
Company "D", 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Branch
Marine Corps
Unit 2
Company "C", 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division
Served For
United States of America
Gold Star
Enlistment- Jul 11, 1940-Age: 24 years
Casualty- Feb 19, 1945-Age: 28 years
Killed In Action
Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands
Marriage- Jul 10, 1944
Lena Mae Riggi
Oceanside, CA
Spouse Death Date
Jun 11, 1999
Gender
Male
Place of Residence
Raritan, New Jersey
Battle Honors: Assault & Occupation of Iwo Jima
Battle Honors: Capture & Defense of Guadalcanal
Military Awards: Presidential Unit Citation
Iwo Jima
Military Awards: Navy Cross
Feb 19, 1945
Military Awards: Purple Heart
Feb 19, 1945
Military Awards: American Defense Service Medal
"Base" clasp
Military Awards: Medal of Honor
Oct 24, 2025
Military Awards: USMC Good Conduct Medal
Jul 11, 1944
Military Awards: Presidential Unit Citation
Guadalcanal
Military Awards: American Campaign Service Medal
1943
Military Awards: WWII Victory Medal
Military Awards: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Service Medal
2 Battle Stars
Religion
Roman Catholic
Race or Ethnicity
Caucasian
Location
TAB BASA-BASW
Death- Feb 19, 1945-Age: 28 years
Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands
Killed In Action
Death- Feb 19, 1945-Age: 28 years
Death
Iwo Jima, Ogasawara-shichō, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan
Death
KIA
Burial
Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, United States of America
Other Facts
Mother
Dora Bencivenga
Father
Salvatore Basilone
Full Name
John Basilone
Also known as
"Manila John"
Full Name
Basilone, John
Relative
John Basilone
Military Service
Rank
Sergeant
Enlistment
New York
Military Service
Rank
Gunnery Sgt
Casualty
Cause
Dead (Combat)
Military Service
Military Unit
Co C, 1stbn, 27thmar, 5thmardiv, Fmf
