One Man Army

                                                    Gunnery Seargent John Basilone

When the fighting gets tough you want someone like USMC Gunnery Sergent John Basilone, aka "Manila John" on your side. This super tough 26-year-old Marine was one of the many heroes of the 1st Marine Division who fought in the 1942, Hell that was Guadalcanal. As the commander of two machinegun sections of Company "D" 1st Btn. (Lt. Col. Chesty Puller C.O.) 7th Regt. 1st Marine Division, Gunny and his men held a key section of the Lugna Perimeter during the 24-26 Oct. 1942, "Battle for Henderson Field."  Facing ongoing assaults from a Japanese force of some 3000 troops, John fought tirelessly during the three-day battle. Even when his 25-man detachment was reduced to John and only two men, the "One Man Army" that was Gunny Basilone held off the determined assaults of the Japanese till the battle ended.  In the words of one of his men, Pvt. 1st Class Nash Phillips, "Basilone had a machine gun on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest or food...and causing the Japanese lots of trouble." For his actions during the battle Basilone earned the nation's highest award for bravery above and beyond the call of duty, the "Congressional Medal of Honor."

After a War Bond Tour, Gunny Basilone was offered an officer's commission which he turned down while asking to return to combat duty which was denied. He was then offered a training position at Camp Penelton which he turned down while asking to return to combat duty. His request was granted, and he landed in the first wave on Iwo Jima with Company "C" 1st Btn. 27th Reg. 5th Marine Division. In the thick of action as always, single handedly took out a Japanese machinegun strong point that was pinning down his unit. He then led his men to Airfield #1 where, under heavy small arms and mortar fire, he helped save a Maine tank. It was here that the 29-year-old was fatally wounded. For his actions on "Iwo," Basilone was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross becoming the only Marine to ever be awarded the two highest medals for bravery the Navy Service awards.

Gunnery Sergent John Basilone is a metal piece I painted in 2019.