John Basilone Stamp Drive Petition

John Basilone Stamp Drive Petition Requesting the U.S. Postal service to Issue a stamp to Honor Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, USMC Medal of Honor Recipient for his heroic actions on Guadalcanal And Navy Cross recipient for his actions on Iwo Jima where he was killed in action.

Basilone won the Medal of Honor on Guadalcanal. He went home as part of a war bond drive but pushed to get back into combat. He died on Iwo Jima and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross which is one down from the Medal of Honor. This petition is to have a stamp issued in his honor. Believe it or not - the sponsors are having a hard time with this effort and it has been going on for quite some time. Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley stamps take priority!

Please sign it on-line and pass the link.

USMC

SEMPER FI!

As a Marine linguist (Chinese Mandarin and Vietnamese) from 1961 to 1971, I sort of took Basilone on as a kind of patron saint. I had seen the movie about him when I was a kid and how he saved many Japanese lives on Guadalcanal. It kind of set up a role model for me later when I joined the Corps. Fight ferociously, live with compassion. (Doesn't sound too rough and tough, but it worked for me.)

BASILONE, JOHN

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 4 November 1916, Buffalo, New York. Accredited to: New Jersey. Other Navy award: Navy Cross.

Citation:

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 machineguns, 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 guncrews, 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

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