In Loving Memory of Lena Mae Valdez KRTN Enchanted Air Radio
Had a chance to visit the gravesite of, and pay my respects to Sgt. Lena Mae Riggi Basilone, widow of Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. Plenty Documentaries ou.
Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone Sergeant, War bonds, War veterans
Lena Mae Riggi was born on March 7, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. Her parents were Italian immigrants. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. She was stationed at Camp Pendleton where she served as a field cook on the base attaining the rank of Sergeant.
Lena Mae Riggi Image 142531 TVmaze
Her name was Lena Mae Riggi, a sergeant at the time serving as a field cook in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Her fellow female Marines fawned over Basilone and his heroism but she wasn't.
Basilone and Sgt Lena Mae Riggi USMC Life
He spotted Lena Mae Riggi one day while walking the serving line at his new base, and he was smitten.. Riggi was a marine sergeant too but a reservist, so military rules against fraternization.
Sgt Lena Mae Riggi Basilone (1913 1999) Find A Grave Photos
While at Camp Pendleton for training he met Lena Mae Riggi, a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. They were married in July 1944 at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside. Basilone requested a return to the Pacific Theater and served as a machine gun section leader with the 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
Pin on History WW2
John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Lena Mae Gamblin The Troy Times Tribune
Lena Riggi never remarried after her husband's death, a testament to the strong bond they shared and the love she had for him. Lena continued to honor John Basilone after his death by serving.
John Basilone and Lena Riggi wedding. Vintage Wedding Party, Wedding Parties, Eugene Sledge
For a period of time he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. While there he met Lena Mae Riggi, who was a sergeant in the Women Marines. They married on July 10, 1944. Basilone returned to the fleet and was assigned to the 5 th Marine Division prior to the assault on Iwo Jima.
Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone... All Hands Magazine
While there, he met a female Marine, Lena Mae Riggi. They quickly became inseparable and were married in July 1944. Basilone was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th.
Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone Sergeant, War bonds, War veterans
Her name was Lena Mae Riggi, a sergeant at the time serving as a field cook in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Her fellow female Marines fawned over Basilone and his heroism but she wasn't.
Basilone paintings search result at
The Story of Basilone's Machine Guns In August 1942, the Allied forces launched a major offensive on Guadalcanal, aiming to capture the island and establish a strategic base for future operations against the Japanese. Sgt. John Basilone was among the Marines defending the Lunga perimeter and Henderson Field, a crucial airfield on the island.
Marine God Puller Sgt. Lena Basilone Pictures
In late December 1943, after requesting once again to return to the Pacific, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was assigned to Camp Pendleton, California, where he was assigned to a unit training to deploy to the Pacific. While there, he fell in love with a female Marine sergeant, Lena Mae Riggi. They dated a few months, then married in July 1944.
Medal of Honor Recipient John Basilone and Carolyn Orehovic at the 400 Restaurant and Cocktail
Her name was Lena Mae Riggi, a sergeant at the time serving as a field cook in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Her fellow female Marines fawned over Basilone and his heroism but she wasn't.
We Stand Alone Together — buckybarnesss Day 30 Most badass moment
Born on Nov. 4, 1916, in Ruritan, New York, Basilone would go on to become the first U.S. Marine of enlisted rank to earn the Medal of Honor during World War II. He was also the only enlisted Marine to earn the Navy Cross posthumously. Basilone hadn't begun his career in the Marine Corps.
Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone Female marines, Sergeant, Us marine corps
While at Camp Pendleton, he met Sgt. Lena Mae Riggi, who was with the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. They were married in Oceanside, California, returning to their duties at Camp Pendleton after a short honeymoon. At the end of 1944, Basilone requested a return to fleet duty.
Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone Women Marines Association
Eventually, the Corps relented. Basilone went to Camp Pendleton to train for combat in the Pacific. There he met his wife, fellow Marine Sergeant Lena Mae Riggi, who became Mrs. Basilone in July 1944. In December, Basilone returned to the Pacific, headed for Iwo Jima. He never saw his wife again.