Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Michael

border="1" alt="GySgt. John Basilone">
GySgt.
John Basilone
21 years old from Raritan, New Jersey
Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division
November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945
alt="U.S. Marines">

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 machine
guns, 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
gun crews, 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.

GySgt. Basilone was killed helping to guide a tank to safety that was
trapped in a mine field under heavy mortar and artillery barrages
during the invasion of Iwo Jima.

You can read more about GySgt. Basilone and his amazing bravery href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Basilone">here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so
others may get to enjoy freedom.  For that I am proud to call them
Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When
There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To LookSIZE>

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.  For more
information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on
your site, you can go href="http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com/2006/08/wednesday-hero-blogroll.html">here.
border="1" alt="Wednesday Hero Logo">