The John Basilone Medal of Honor Location - Guadalcanal
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- I spend time during this episode visiting the site on Guadalcanal where Sgt John Basilone earned the Medal of Honor. This location is rarely visited and is hard to reach. Hope you enjoy and I plan future episodes on other legends of the Canal.
Born in the Solomon Islands, I grew up near this area and it was our playground. There were times when fire cleared the whole area and we could see every detail of the battle field...the fox holes, relics and barb wire emplacements. My Dad collected helmets found in the area and he used them to grow small tropical flowers in them as gesture of remembrance to the person who wore it. Japanese and American.
That had to of been an amazing thing to see. I know exactly what you mean. As an army vet I can remember training at Ft Bragg, they’d clear burn and you could see old fighting positions and rusted ammunition clips from the old Springfield M1s,but I could see the whole defense still visible
Hi j mc, have you perhaps heard any stories of giants or experiences of giants in the solomon islands?
Wow that is fantastic thanks for sharing!
@@donovanphipps777 Yes thats true
@@lonnijohnston6339 defence? of Ft Bragg..really? Please tell me more about the battle of Ft Bragg?
Thank you for this video. Our family is so very pround of Sgt. John Basilone and all who have served. He was a true hero. Although he died long before I was born, all of our family keep his legacy and honor alive.
Thank you. I wrote an article on Basilone coming out in the October Leatherneck magazine. I think it’s the most accurate version of his MOH out there.
This man died at 28 yrs old so I could live to be 50. Thank you to all the men who sacrificed their lives so I could live mine, forever grateful.
This was a fantastic step into history. Truly eerie to know how much death surrounded that area you filmed. I couldn’t imagine laying down in those bunkers for 2 days even WITHOUT bullets, shells, and hundreds of enemies all around. The heroism of Basilone and those marines is unbelievable.
Im Australian, a special place is in my heart for all the marines and the pilots that bravely aided my nation in defending and eventually defeating the evils of Japan in WW2 . Especially a revered and deservedly so WW2 MOH winnerJ Basilone.
My father served in the Pacific with the USMC. He did not speak much about WW2.
Of some 120 officers in his OCS Class most were killed by the end of the war. Only he and David Mell, a Southern gentleman, came out without any physical injuries. The few others who survived were invalids. This was what my mother told me. He said nothing of this.
I guess there is still a Basoline Road at Camp Pendleton named in his honor.
Thank you for the video.
Basilone was killed in action on Iwo Jima. Before his death, he earned a Navy Cross in battle, and I have read that his actions there warranted a second MoH, maybe even more than his first, on Guadalcanal! Incredible man, incredible hero..........
His battalion CO Lt. Col. Duryea, 1/27 Marines, 5 Division, did recommend him for a posthumous MOH, but it was decided to award him the naval cross instead. As far as I know during WWII nobody was awarded more than one MOH, please correct me if I am incorrect about this.
@@patrickhows1482 i believe it is law (20th century) that no person can be awarded the MOH more than one time. There are a couple of cases in the 19th century of being awarded multiple MOHs but that was before law was changed and the criteria for earning it drastically changed. (For example: all 25 members of Lincoln's funeral color guard were awarded MOHs). Basilone was given a NC for Iwo Jima action because he already had a MOH. And there is no limit on NCs, AFCs, and DSCs. I believe Chesty Puller had 4-5 NCs.
@@mindeloman I didn't realize there was a law restricting the number of MOH medals. So then the Chapman MOH's are an extraordinary exception I assume.
@Me Smith
Thank you for the link.
@@patrickhows1482 There were 5 Marines awarded two MoH during WWI, but were actually awarded two medals for one action. They were fighting in an Army unit, so were awarded the USA and USMC MoH. No soldier in WWII was awarded more than one, and regulations now limit one award per soldier. Not sure when the regulation was put in place, but may be why Basilone got the Navy Cross instead of another MoH. Dan Daly, a WWI Marine, was a double recipient (1900 and 1915) who was recommended for a 3rd MoH at Belleau Wood, but ultimately received the DSC.
Thank you for doing these videos. I had the pleasure of knowing a few Guadalcanal marines. I was a young marine and ran many miles on Basilone Road in the late 60's and early 70's. I'm old and disabled now but I can travel through the videos that you make. Please remember that you now have an old gunny that travels with. Thank you so much, I greatly appreciate it.
Larry Muncy welcome aboard Gunny.
I went to see John and Audie the day after my older gunny brother retired from the Corps in 2017. I love and appreciate our military, but I was a bit to hardheaded and disliked orders to much to join myself. Proud to say I have two nephews that are fourth generation soldiers. Thank you for your service Sir, I certainly appreciate it.
I am very aware of gunnery Sgt. Baseline. He was a brave marine, holding off the Japanese for 3 days I believe. The highway from the marine base going north is named in his honor.
Thanks for this tour of a battlefield I will never get to vist and have always had a strong interest in. Sgt. Mitchell Paige USMC also won his MOH in almost the same way Manila John did that same night (11/27/42) further down the defence line nearer to the foot of Edson's Ridge. I have followed Peter Flahavin's website for several years also. I live about twenty minutes drive from the Basilone memorial statue in his hometown of Raritan, NJ.
Thanks. Make sure you see the Mitchell Paige episode. Paiges position was about 5 miles from Bloody Ridge near the the Matanikau River. It’s called Kola Ridge today.
I'll do that.
Thank you for doing these videos.
My Great Uncle was a Marine Raider with the 4th Marine Raiders. When they disbanded the Raiders he became part of the 4th Marine Regiment part of the 6th Marines. He was killed by a sniper on Okinawa after destroying several machine gun nests and killing 15 Japanese soldiers for which he received the Silver Star posthumously. He was killed on June 21, 1945, the same day that Okinawa was declared secured. Semper Fi!
Semper Fi!!!! I was shot by a sniper in Vietnam….luckily I survived. Major respect towards your uncle…Oohrah!!!
i´m a german reservist of the german bundeswehr and this american soldier has my great respect. He is a alltime great soldier. incredible feat of weaponry.
Basilone was one hell of a Marine and a natural-born warrior and leader. I presume that the area you were in would have been pretty much cleared at the time of the fighting? That big old Banyan tree stump is what is often called a witness tree; meaning it had witnessed an historic event/s. If trees could talk. Another very informative walk. Thanks.
Alonso Cushing thanks for the comment. The area wasn’t cleared much more really. I spoke to a vet last year that was there and he said he could only see 70 yards.
Alonso Cushing, another MoH recipient, Nice.
Doubt they had any machinery handy to clear that thick jungle, only hand tools (i.e. shovels and machetes). I think they did a pretty good job preparing their position considering the limited time and resources they had.
A trick we were taught in finnish army: cut only the very lowest branches Off the trees. You can see enemy feet but they cant see you until they low down too. Its also less work. So simple and So effective
@@anttitheinternetguy3213 a thanks for the tip! Never know when may come in handy!
My dad’s cousin grew up in Raritan NJ, and was close friends with Basilone and his family.
@Dan Chapowski he was just telling us about it no need to be a dipshit
@Dan Chapowski So is you being a prick, man.
@Dan Chapowski and if you don't like it, there's a button that takes you off the video and look for something else. Presto.
@Dan Chapowski theres always one dipshit that has to cause problems. That dipshit is you sir.
I know a UA-cam commenter whose Dad's cousin was friends with the Basilones too. He is you.
My Dad was on Iwo when Basilone was killed. he said the news went through the island very quickly. He was revered by the Marines but many also thought he was nuts for coming back to combat. I worked in the adjoining town to Raritan. Passed his memorial several times a week.
Thanks for the info. They would have thought him nuts but guarantee they respected him for it. He was a legend in his own time. I remember a particular Sgt when I was at infantry school. There were stories about his exploits in Beirut and we were in awe. I imagine it was the same way when these young Marines cane in contact with Basilone.
Thank you Marine for the video. Seeing the actual location helps us visualize the hell these men went through for the freedom of the whole world. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I had an acquaintance in the 1980’s , a guy named Harry, who was an employee at the paint store in Huntington Beach. He was a veteran of Iwo Jima. Another employee was also a veteran of Iwo Jima and showed me the scars. Harry said he “ saw Basilone get it”. I would talk with them for hours.
You should share these events for history. There are many military sites that appreciate your comments.
Just listened to your John Basilone interview on the WW2 Podcast. Well done!
Thanks
As an Infantryman John Basilone has always been my hero! Awesome tour I just Subscribed!
Basilone fought that battle in the dark of night. Which makes it even more dangerous.
Thank God for Americans like them brave Marines.
Elenore Roosevelt once said," The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthest minds the highest morale and the lowest morals of any animal l have ever seen".
God bless the United States Marine Corp.
Thanks, great video/documentary to add a great amount of perspective to Basilone's story (and those other equally brave men who stood by him) .
Thank you so much for doing this. I had two great uncles wounded in the first month of fighting on Guadalcanal. Both recovered and later were wounded again and alas both perished. Both were in the Marines and both joined on December 8th 1941 and volunteered for the marines. All of my great uncles fought in WW2 and only 1 came home he was part of the invasion of North Africa and later Sicily and then Italy. He was part of the US Army.
On my bucket list is to tour the islands in the Pacific my family fought and bled for to defeat imperial Japan.
Chris
What a sacrifice your family made.
Sort of a family tradition. My father's family were Wild Geese. Catholic Irish mercenaries in the 1600's fighting in the 30 years war. After being part of the successful sack of the Pas De Calais the Marshall of France as part of payment awarded the family noble titles and land. So being part of the King/Queen that put them at odds with the Cardinal. Richelieu declared them traitors, seized their property, gave it to one of his relatives and our Family after fleeing Ireland, then fled France to Virginia.
So my family has always been in the military. Every generation as far as I know. In America when they arrived they bought land, but they also joined the local militia in Virginia.
Since that time in 1638 our family has either been in the local or state militia or the national army every single generation.
My father at the age of 14 on his birthday in 1944 had his mother lie about his age to join the army. He was enroute to Japan for the invasion when the bombs were dropped. He received a purple heart and bronze star for action on the transport while fighting off Japanese suicide plane attacks.
His unit was diverted after the Bomb was dropped and Japan surrendered to occupy Korea. He was there until 1950. A week before the Korean war started he signed his reup papers and fought the entire Korean War.
From Seoul to Pusan to Inchon to the Yalu and back to the 38th. He was a tanker in a M4A3E8 yet in Korea he earned 5 battle stars for his CIB and received 4 more purple hearts.
After Korea he left the army and in 1956 joined the Air Force as a SP specializing in guarding Nukes and working at secret sites. Where he met my mother (OSI) at White Sands.
When the US moved troops into Viet Nam he was stationed in Japan and was in civilian clothes with his weapons in diplomatic bags with his uniform when they seized the airports in the country to start flying in troops as part of the move to support South Viet Nam. Once again receiving another purple heart.
He retired in 1970. Fought in 3 wars. Idiot metals in all three.
My older sister retired from the Navy as a E8 Cryptologic Specialist. My older brother did 12 years 4 enlisted then Mavericked and left as a captain in the US Army serving as an M1 Abrams combat leader.
I went to the Air Force Academy but had to get a medical waver x3 to enter because of sports injuries and was later medically discharged because of those sports injuries. The mind was willing but the body was broken.
My younger sister married a marine who is now retired Gunny served as a sniper and was the platoon sergeant for Dunford's HQ in 2003 in Iraq.
So we understand the sacrifice our family has made for this country. Trust me, but always willingly given for this country is the best the world has produced so far. Yeah we got some blemishes, but nowhere else can you lift yourself thru hard work to your dreams than in America.
Thank your for sharing your best wishes. It does mean something.
Chris
Chris Bricky quite a history. Your brother in law, the Marine sniper, what’s his name? I might know him. Cool if you don’t want to post it here. I do have a Facebook site by the same name as my UA-cam site. Happy to share info through there.
Gunnery Sergeant Michael Cheramie from LA and he is as cajun as they come. The sniper rifle he recovered as well as other gear from a sniper he took out in 2003 during movement to Baghdad is in the Marine Museum because Dunford asked if he could put it in the museum.
Also Mike was the nco in charge of covering for the tank captain that got his tank disabled and injured. Mike directed the covering fire to not only get the wounded out, but the medevac helo in, while also recovering the tank and getting the rest of the tank platoon out of the ambush zone. Mike got another medal for doing his job as a gunny in combat. Only a marine would understand.
The marines and Dunford kept offering Mike anything he wanted to keep him in the corps. He now works with a vet group giving hunting and fishing trips to combat vets in bayous and across the south.
Chris
Chris
Gunny Mike's call sign and on the side of his Hummv was 2%
Chris
Fascinating! I'm enjoying the podcast on Guadalcanal you did with James Early and that brought me here!
Thanks. Hope you enjoy the tour.
Incredible video. I have always wanted to walk the battlefield of the Pacific. As a former 7th Marine, I was able to go to Iwo back in 89. Just standing in the same spots and breathing the same air as these young men is surreal. You made my night. Semper Fi.
I saw Iwo from a ship but never got to go on the island. That would have been a memorable experience.
I've always wanted to go to some of these types of sites in the Pacific--but never had the time, money or opportunity. So your channel is the closest I'll likely ever get. So thanks for making these awesome videos!
Thank you. I made them for the exact reason.
The shear bravery of those marines, is unbelievable!!!!! I can’t even fathom being there!
John Basilone my fellow brother from new jersey God Bless him !
Thankyou very much for all your hard work and efforts in making these video presentations.
It is fascinating to see the real locations of these actions that were depicted in the TV series 'Pacific'.
When I think of a bunker, I imagine something made of concrete, like a pillbox in the UK (I'm a Brit) or a German bunker in Normandy. But would I be right in thinking that these bunkers were basically pits dug into the ground and perhaps reinforced with logs and sandbags?
Keep up the great work in showing these battle sites that many of us will never get to see in person.
local bod thank you. You are correct the bunkers were about 4ft deep and covered with coconut logs and sandbags. In the Pacific series the Basilone bunkers were not covered which is incorrect. You can’t see Hollywood stars if they are in a bunker!
Thank you for the video. I live about 40 miles from Basilon Rd & Camp Pendleton. Every time cross it I remember the brave Marines. The camp is allways full of these Marines I am so thankful for thier service.
I think John Inness may have conducted a battlefield tour I was part of with fellow Australian soldiers, part of the RAMSI group of nations in 2003/04.
I imagine a lot of New Jerseyans (like me) are proud and honored to be living in John Basilone's home state. He was a beyond-incredible man and soldier.
That was amazing. Thank you for sharing with all of us. The story of Sgt. Basilone is indeed the stuff of legends. I’ve had the privilege and honor of visiting his grave at Arlington. A question for you: since my own chances of visiting Guadalcanal are virtually nil, on your next trip to the island could you please make a video for us pointing out the location (if it’s known with any certainty) where Sgt. Manny Rodriguez gave his life for our nation. Perhaps if possible you could lay a wreath in remembrance of Sgt. Rodriguez and all the other Marines and soldiers who gave their lives on that island. Thanks again.
I'm not able to find anything on Manny Rodriguez. I heard he was not a real person, just made up for the series. I wish someone who knew more would advise.
My uncle was on Guadalcanal with the 7th Marines. He knew John Basilone, not well though. He said he was the bravest, most driven (and crazy) Marine he had known throughout the war. He said Basilone was a very serious person that took the deaths of his men personally and instituted a no prisoner policy, months before it became widespread "policy" in the Pacific, shortly after they found a buddy's mutilated body, "genitals stuffed in mouth and gutted like a fish". Those words were a quote from Basilone that my Uncle said got everybody's attention. What a true, iconic American Marine hero. Truly The Greatest Generation! Semper Fi...
My late uncle Euclid survived the battan death March and 3 years as a pow. Nicest man you'd ever want to meet.but he absolutely hated the Japanese. I guess after what he went through he had every right to feel that way
@@2ndarmoredhellonwheels106 my father and his brother were both in the Navy and both saw extensive action in the South Pacific. My uncle was on a submarine which I don't know the name of a my father was on the cruiser Montpelier ( I'm sure I hacked the spelling but just didn't look it up ) my father's ship fought from the Solomons on up the chain through New Guinea all the way up to Iwo Jima. Both he and his brother just viciously hated the Japanese until they both threw their last breaths. I don't share that hatred and never did but I did completely understand how they both felt and I think that they were justifiably entitled to those feelings after some of the stuff they saw. It was a different era, a completely different mindset on both sides.
Before the John Basilone Welcome Home Parade in Raritan on September 19, 1943, JohnbBasilone and his family went to Mass at At St Anne's Church, where Basilone specifically asked the priest to remember his (dead) buddies on Guadalcanal in the Mass. He often said to reporters and others when they asked about the Medal of Honor that his men had earned it and he was just wearing it for them.
@@patrickhows1482 every hero I ever met said pretty much the same thing.
@@2ndarmoredhellonwheels106
Yes indeed. I think that Kyle Carpenter, a contemporary Marine Corps MOH recipient puts it very well when he calls the MOH 'a beautiful burden'.
Thank you for sharing this interesting information.
This is definitely one for my bucket list.
Thank for your efforts in showing us the battle area.
I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America 🇺🇸!
Always seemed odd to pledge allegiance to an inanimate object.
@@HarryBalzak animate objects are full of life when they unite People under common cause
@@anttitheinternetguy3213 I suppose. Still seems odd to me.
@@HarryBalzak you’ll never get it. You know nothing about honor, courage or loyalty. Thank God there are millions of Americans who do. 🇺🇸
@@woodrowcall3269 Wow. You are delusional.
Basilone Rd. Near Camp Pendleton CA is named in John's honor as well as a stretch of I-5
Thanks! Very informative. I recall Commandant Neller and (new) Commandant Berger visited the site a couple of years ago and Comm. Neller made a Marine Birthday video message from the site.
Mathew Meyer I saw that message. I wasn’t here for that visit and it would have been great on all accounts. I’m pretty sure I would have been the one that would have lead him in. My friend guided the General and the Sgt Major in that day and still talks about it.
@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 He told me he had a Staff NCO and young lieutenant give them a tactical tour of the battlefield and discuss tactics during their visit. It would have been great to see the actual battlefield and truly understand what the Marines faced.
Mathew Meyer when I was here in 2009 -2010 I use to run a battlefield study program for the Australian and New Zealand Army . We focussed on Edson’s Ridge as it really hasn’t changed and was a great terrain appreciation study.
The scenery in The Thin Red Line was pretty realistic it appears. Hiking at the beginning looked straight off the set.
Thank you for this video from an Aussie. John Basilone was a true hero. God Bless our two Countries and the fallen from both. Brothers in Arms.
Go Aussie, great post mate im a skippy to that Basilone was just all balls
RIP John....🇺🇸
Not forgitten...
As a M-60 gunner myself (0331) with an uncle who fought on Guadalcanal-I found your video fascinating. Thank you for posting it and Semper Fi. 👍
Guns Up.
Thank you for your service.
A remarkable human being, Basilone was a true hero and super Anerican patriot..RIP
Superman has a hung picture of him in his room
So does Bruce Norris.
Not Rambo. Rambo is Full of It. Stallone was a Draft Dodger that went to do movies of him killing all NVA and VietCong together. A BIG FRAUD. DRAFT DODGER LIAR.
@@feetgoaroundfullflapsC ... Rambo may not have GY Sgt Basilone’s picture, but he does have a towel with a picture of another MOH recipient. The picture is that of MSgt Benavidez of Vietnam War fame. Rambo must have gotten gay on that towel so many times that even some of the events on MSgt Benavidez’s battles were copied into Rambo’s movies.
A very long time ago, in the '80s, I sent a proposed movie concept/script outline to Sylvester Stallone re making of a film simply to be called 'Basilone'. The concept was a series of battle action flashbacks (including of course that which earned him the MOH and that which killed him) occurring during, and interwoven with, his Stateside interim experience between Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. In my naivete I hoped given his Italian heritage and penchant for heroes that Stallone (plumbing the depth of his talent) might actually take serious interest in such project. Whether he ever received/viewed it or not I do not know.
OUR HERO FOREVER MORE THANK YOU SIR...MAY WE NEVER FORGET REAL HISTORY
Such ordinary terrain bearing witness to extraordinary events. Fascinating.
My father Lt Col. Briola M.D. was in the battle of Guadalcanal. He was awarded The Legion of Merit citation for
treating the wounds of American soldiers who were wounded on Guadalcanal.
Very sobering and a bit eerie to watch. Can’t begin to imagine feelings on both sides 75 years ago.
AMAZING VIDEOS. THANK YOU !!
Привет из России. Меня всегда интересовала история второй мировой войны и американская компания на Тихом океане в частности. Давно хочу посетить знаковые места той войны, такие как Гуадалканал. Спасибо, что дали возможность взглянуть на те места. Примерно в то же время, когда американские солдаты сражались на Соломоновых островах, под Ленинградом, где я живу, проходила Любанская операция по прорыву блокады. В этой битве погибло больше трехсот тысяч человек на клочке земли сравнимом с Гуадалканалом. Леса под Санкт-Петербургом до сих пор опутывают сети обвалившихся траншей, а тысячи неразорвавшихся снарядов и останков бойцов лежат в земле и на поверхности. Это были сложные времена для всех народов мира.
Like all wars, these are young men put into insanely hazardous situations. At night, when you can't see your hand in front of your face is bad enough. But with Japanese troops constantly trying to infiltrate and terrifying banzai charges at any time, the level of courage and devotion to your fellow Marines to stay and fight is humbling. We are all fortunate Americans to have had men like these fighting for us.
Basilone's niece did a lot to continue his legacy. She made a documentary about him. She visited Iwo Jima, but not sure she went to Guadalcanal, but probably did. VFW 2342 post in Fort Lee, New Jersey helped sponsor and publicized her film.
Ken Owens heard she visited the site with my old friend John Inness.
Im from New Jersey and have been to that post. Could you tell me the name of the movie?
@@francisscheets6604 I don't know the title but I do know that she also filmed on Iwo Jima to retrace her uncle's steps and possible near where he was killed.
Thank You. Hearing story’s off and on my whole life seeing and hearing this cut right into me. Amazing photo tie in.
I had a much-older 1st cousin who was also an NCO in 1/7 who knew Basilone very well. And Puller. He was wounded 4 times in WWII and a few more in Korea and Vietnam. He retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in 1970 with a bit over 30 years' service (October 1939-March 1970.) He was often called on to speak about Basilone, Puller, and other things.
Hi Mark. (Looks like I’m two years late to your post but thought I should reply). My grandfather was in the 1/7 on Guadalcanal and knew Basilone and Puller as well. He used to talk about how shy Basilone was and that he didn't want to leave "the boys" to sell war bonds once he got his Metal of Honor awarded in Melbourne AU. My Grandfather went on to fight at Cape Gloucester and then also did tours in Korea and Vietnam (2x). He also retired as Warrant Officer in 1970 having enlisted in 1940. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 99. I was lucky enough to have filmed many discussions with him about his experience over the decades (I’m a VERY lucky grandson). Seems our two family members may easily have crossed paths! Give a shout if you’d like to discuss more.
My father was with the 7th Marines on Guadalcanal and used to tell me where he had buried a case of 30 caliber machine gun ammo in fear that they were going to be overrun.
I drive by his statue almost everyday. Incredible hero
One on old York road in Raritan?
7:33 20yards is about four cars parked bumper -to -bumper. And at night... and the enemy is running at you...scores of them...
If you awarded those soldier's who went above and beyond the call of duty Desmond Doss probably would have deserved at least 5. Like the soldiers Desmond served said it was a miracle. Beyond belief that he was never shot until his final battle which was on his Sabbath. Thanks to Hacksaw Ridge and several documentaries we get to knows this man who was unwavering in his convictions.
My father served with the 1st Batalion 7th Marines in North Korea 52-53
My great uncle PFC Joe Lloyd South was with B17 at Guadalcanal as a BARman. I would imagine he knew Sgt Basilone as I'm sure they shared this some of this ground. It's nice to actually see where the battle took place, thank you for this. Unfortunately Uncle Joe was killed during the landing on Peleliu. God bless
I’m sure they would have knew each other.
My Dad was in the 73rd Seabee battalion, charlie company on Guadalcanal. They repaired Henderson field after the Marines took it away from the Japanese. Dad also served on New Georgia and Peleliu.
With consideration to the jungle canopy, is there any means to GPS these locations of bunkers, fox holes, trenches and other related historic features (barbwire screws) and collate/overlay them to digital mapping?? Complements to the much improved sound quality......
Thanks. Yes I took a number of gps points along with mud maps and sketches. Need lidar on a drone really
All the right stuff, the absolute best of the type of young man produced at that time. Ultimate respect
Nephew in the Marines. Semper Fi.
Semper Fi do or die!
I remember his story from Boot Camp the Marine Corps does a real good job of teaching you the history of the Corp in Boot Camp.
Boot Camp 1956 Platon 214 Honor Honor Platon 2nd Bn. Marine Corps Boot Camp San Diego California.
Thanks for the video, very well done!
Thank you bro, im going out there on the weekend.
Very interesting stuff. All I really see is mounds of dirt and jungle but with your help I can make out some of what you're describing.
Thank you. God bless...
For those who wonder, the 30-06 round from the Marines’ rifles and machine guns would cut through that vegetation with little effort.
My Uncle died at Guadalcanal in WWII. Milton King USMC. Not sure of his rank, I only know he was enlisted. I believe he was in a Mortar Battery. Killed with friendly fire, mortar mistake, I've been told.
KING, Milton J., Pfc., USMC. Father, Mr. John M. King, 17 L St., Anderson, SC (na) + KING, Milton Jeffrie, 318970, CoD, 1stBn, 7thMar, 1stMarDiv, FMF, Solomon Is, November 3, 1942, killed in action (mc)
Chesty Pullers battalion. Being in D company he would have been a machine gunner or mortar man.
Ok... WHAT is that on top of the bunker at 2:38 ?? - a guadalcanal sized rat or a dog? Maybe just a a bag?
Just noticed it and looks like a big rat😂. I think it’s a leaf against a sandbag
Very interesting! Thanks!
Thank you for this and the other videos, as well as EVERYTHING you do for the memories of so may who came before us. I'm hoping to make a trip (pilgrimage) out there in about five or so years. I hope you're still around when that happens. Btw, it sounds like you're a southern boy who's since spent LOTS of time around Aussies!
Semper Fi, Devil Dog!
Thank. You. Marines. For. Your. Ultimate. Sacrafice. On. Guadalcanal. Semper. Fidelis. Always. Faithful. Never. Leave. A. Fellow. Marine. Behind. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇨🇱🇮🇱🇺🇦✝️✝️✝️🇺🇸✡️🕎✝️✝️✝️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱. Respectfully. Dennis. Lee. Jensen. And. Randy. Lee. Jensen. 💝💝💝
Thanks for making this! Do locals actively preserve the site, or is it just that remote? @marines should have a MEU put a monument there so it's not lost to the jungle.
Basilone then got killed on Iwo Jima
He was a brave marine! I wish he would have stayed as a heavy weapons trainer and not gone back to combat. He earned it!
He felt guilty not being with his men. After Guadalcanal he was taken out of the fighting and his buddies kept fighting in 2 more campaigns, a few being killed or seriously wounded.
He was the first Marine recipients of the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross.
Yes enlisted. A number of officers had received both.
Chesty Puller had 5 Navy Crosses including one from Guadalcanal.
As always, thank you for your comprehensive tour of these important sites. I was able to visit the site in 2017 and as a former 0331, it was hard to imagine that that was the actual placement of a mg position. When I went through SOI, we were trained to provide covering fire ( among other tactics) for the 0311’s in front of us. I thank you for all your research and confirmation of the site. I hope to return to Guadalcanal in the not distant future, and would love to see if you are still there. Semper Fi
I thought the same. I was once a 0331 in another life. Semper Gumby buddy!
Thank you for this video. Basilone was from my home town of Raritan NJ. So many things are named in his honor including our high school field , Basilone Field. A parade is held annually on main street in his honor. And on the west entrance to town stands the John Basilone statue holding that water cooled machine gun.
6:46 30ft. is roughly two cars parked bumper to bumper. When people are Running at you, intent on killing you, that's too close.
It would be cool to find an old machine gun brass on the ground
thank you very much sir for showing us this great piece of history! John did punished the Japanese severely as shown in this tv series ua-cam.com/video/wD3F16J42Eo/v-deo.html
Thanks for the video. I've always held a deep interest in the battles in Guadalcanal and to see up close the locations of these events holds me in awe. Good job.
Glad you enjoy them. I will try and improve on the quality as I gain more experience. Open to suggestions and any suggestions for future episodes.
Great job...tks so much for your hard work and dedication to keep history alive and accurate
I read his book It was good, he was a bad ass, Army in P.I., first then wanted the real deal, USMC for ever, my old home, his war bond drive brought in Billions, nice read.
Amazing video and amazing channel. I don't think there's enough videos like this on the pacific war, I understand the european theater is more famous and a lot easier to visit, but people like you giving us a chance to see the pacific battlefields is a privilege. Your passion on this is second to none, much respect. Thank you, sir.
Spent time on Kolombangara ,Ringi cove , Japanese base
From Brazil.
A quem Honra,Honra.
J Basilone sei que fez o seu melhor.
Tem meu respeito;obrigado pelo Serviço,Sacrifício e amor pela pátria e liberdade.
Semper Fi.
Read about him in Tregaskis' "Guadalcanal Diary" when in the 6th grade...Said "If only I could be that good"...That's why they call it dreamin'...Great footage of a sacred place...By the way, in WWII it was "Dog" Co. "Delta" is modern usage...OFS!
Thomas Woods thanks. I try and tell it like a story and the info comes out of my head. I forget sometimes and resort back to modern terms like Delta Co. 😀
GySgt John Basilone
KIA 19 FEB 1945
RIP John 🕊
Semper Fidelis 🇺🇲
Walked through that area artifacts every were bits of bone ,1980s
Thank you for preserving history
Thanks for sharing this place with us mate. Have you heard any stories of giants in the forests there? Speak to the locals.
Never seen any in my walks. See a few other interesting characters though!
@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 I recommend you read a book by Marius Boirayon: Solomon Island Mysteries. The locals believe in and see giants there. Speak to the locals. Apparently they tend to live in the centre of the islands. I enjoy your walks and battle lessons. Very entertaining to me.
Wow that visibility looks vastly a lot more terrible and thick than the sort of open field presented in the pacific, I guess that's for filming purposes
Yes and also they had open top bunkers in the Pacific series. The Marines bunkers were fully covered. Basilone and the others stated they had about 70 yards field of fire at the best. They did cut out firing lanes of 50 to 100 yards to draw the Japanese into them.
@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 I see, very interesting. I wonder why they went with the changes
I suspect so the viewer could see the Marines. With a covered bunker and at night not much to see for the audiences viewing pleasure.
@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 Indeed I agree. It's crazy in the video, with that thickness of the brush and at night no less I imagine John and the boys could hardly tell what they were shooting at tbh
Semper Fi ! Gunny Basilone
So I ran up Basilone Hill during bootcamp over and over and over and over, etc etc. for nothing lol definitely kidding...no doubt he would have done the same going up a hill and back again.
Thank you for this video, I really appreciate the time you put into making this. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant who served 5 Oct 73-4 Oct 77.
Billy bad ass !!!!
How can I get a copy of Basilone's after action report at Quantico that you mentioned?
I got it from the US Navy Heritage website.