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Basilone in Texas


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Good day everyone,

My name is Jaclyn from Dallas, TX. I am the proud wife of a disabled Army vet (90%; we are fighting for the final 10% from the VA, tips appreciated) and relative to Sgt. John Basilone (MOH WWII). I am happy and open to discuss family history if anyone is particularly interested.

I am a proud supporter of Gold Star families, the WWII Museum in New Orleans, and many other military affiliated causes. I do have a background in non-profit fundraising and am happy to assist in anyone's fundraising efforts for a good cause.

💗 Best regards,
Jaclyn Basilone Smith

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Welcome Jaclyn.

 

When I lived in Pennsylvania I used to do displays at different Gold Star mothers events.

 

What unit was your husband in?

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dhcoleterracina

Welcome to the Forum. Hopefully there are people here who could give you advice about your husband. 

 

Regarding John Basilone, I'm sure that we would love to hear any family recollections about him. How accurate was his portrayal in the movie "Flags of Our Fathers"? (I think it was that movie).

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BILL THE PATCH

Welcome, and it's great to a relative related to  john Basilone on the forum. Any stories would be greatly appreciated. And thank your husband for his service. 

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Welcome aboard. I trained one of your relatives on Starlite Rifle Range on Parris Island sometime in 2009 or 2010. Couldn't say who exactly, as he was just Recruit Basilone to me, but I remember the base paper did a piece on him when he graduated.

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9 hours ago, dhcoleterracina said:

Welcome to the Forum. Hopefully there are people here who could give you advice about your husband. 

 

Regarding John Basilone, I'm sure that we would love to hear any family recollections about him. How accurate was his portrayal in the movie "Flags of Our Fathers"? (I think it was that movie).

I think you're thinking of HBO's "The Pacific"

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As stated, welcome to the forum....As for your husband's disability case, I wish you the best....My father fought the VA for a number of years and it was a challenge.....They wanted to cut him numerous times, and he needed twenty years in to make him permanent....My advice first is to find somebody who will support you and strongly believes in your husband's case....Will be tough without good support from a legitimate source....This will benefit you as well when it comes to claiming part of his retirement upon his death....My best wishes and I too thank your family for their service and the sacrifices they made for this country ....Bodes

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Good day all!

 

Quick tid bit, Jon Seda and I were able to chat on Saturday along with a couple other gents from "The Pacific". We had a great chat and I'll tell you what blew all of them away. During "The Pacific" John Basilone and J.P. Morgan (played by Joshua Bitton) are seen running from a bar after the Army MP's show up to rain on the parade. Basilone is seen jumping into the MP's Jeep and Morgan tells him "don't steal the Jeep, you're already in trouble". Basilone is then seen jumping out of the Jeep and making the "right choice"... in real life, he stole that Jeep along side Richard Greer (USMC, Purple Heart) and a couple ladies. They went for a joy ride and had a smashing time from what Mr. Greer told me before his passing.

I'm not sure why that was cut from the story line but it's my favorite tidbits from his history.

Love to all,

Jaclyn Basilone Smith

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Salvage Sailor

USS BASILONE (DD/DDE-824) was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (1916–1945), who was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action...." in the defense of Henderson Field during the 1942 Guadalcanal campaign.

 

Basilone was laid down on 7 July 1945 at Orange, Texas, by the Consolidated Steel Corporation, Ltd; launched on 21 December 1945; and sponsored by Sgt Lena Mae Basilone, USMCWR, GySgt John Basilone's widow. After lying inactive for more than two years, the ship was slated for conversion to an escort destroyer (DDE).

 

USS Navajo towed Basilone from Orange, Texas, to Quincy, Massachusetts, where the ship was converted by the Bethlehem Steel Co. Redesignated DDE-824 on 28 January 1948 Basilone was commissioned on 26 July 1949, Commander Mark E. Dennett in command.

 

0582427.jpg.8ec07ed6f2c0b529f77cc8e038a2980a.jpg

 

USS BASILONE (DD-824/DDE-824) Gearing class Destroyer in service 1949 to 1977 (Reverted to DD-842 June 30, 1962)

 

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Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (1916–1945)

 

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SGT. Lena Basilone ready to christen USS BASILONE, 21 December 1945

 

1290872743_DD824USSBASILONE001.jpg.3acfbbe9a94afa116e72ba1ad48385ec.jpg

 

USS BASILONE (DDE-824) as a post-war (Cold War) ASW escort destroyer 1949-1962, Gemsco gold border card circa 1950's

 

1736147858_DD824DDE824USSBASILONEGemsco002.jpg.bccdcaaf2540a9ad28aea3e89f80a025.jpg

 

1559305431_DD824DDE824USSBASILONEGemsco003.jpg.472515b850b51f596bbd3669f376e8dd.jpg

 

USS BASILONE (DD-824) WESTPAC - 1960's Cruise patch

 

425752582_DD824USSBASILONEWESTPAC1968001.jpg.f29024bbb26eb4923a3b2a75ca16aef7.jpg

 

870050084_DD824USSBASILONEWESTPAC1968002.jpg.35b0bf8bdb81387240aeb46a3b61e1ca.jpg

 

1840244113_DD824USSBASILONE003.jpg.89ec7041206fa2117803748d87637cc8.jpg

 

 

 

 

DD 824 DDE 824 USS BASILONE Gemsco 001.jpg

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