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Although initially apprehensive about the advances of yet another fellow marine, Lena Rigi quickly fell in love with John Basilone. The two got married in the summer of 1944, but their newlywed...
He was killed on February 19, 1945 in an exchange of heavy gunfire on Iwo Jima. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 -- her 32nd birthday. In 21 Dec 1945 Lena christened a Navy destroyer ship named the USS Basilone in her husband's honor. Lena never remarried.
She was the wife of John Basilone, one of the famous Marines every Marine Corps recruit learns about at boot camp. He is often discussed in Marine Corps history classes but no one ever mentions that his wife was a Marine too.
His widow, Lena M. Basilone, died on June 11, 1999, aged 86, and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. Lena's obituary notes that she never remarried and was buried still wearing her wedding ring.
Feb 14, 2019 · Her name was Lena Mae Riggi, a sergeant at the time serving as a field cook in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. Her fellow female Marines fawned over Basilone and his heroism but she wasn’t...
Great Love Happens Once: The Enduring Story of John and Lena Basilone Some ties run deep, like service to country or commitment to family. For one Marine, those two paths were...
Jan 1, 2024 · As the spotlight shines on the exceptional bravery of World War II hero John Basilone, it is also worth highlighting who Lena Riggi was: his beloved wife. Lena was a love at first sight and she was much more than the spouse of a decorated war hero, but a strong woman with a unique story.
Jun 11, 1999 · Lena Riggi Basilone - Widow of John Basilone. After John Basilone arrived at Camp Pendleton, where he trained Marines for upcoming Pacific battles, he met Lena Riggi. She was also a Marine sergeant (albeit reservist) who had one less stripe than John. "I saw her as I came down the serving line.
Oct 26, 2022 · Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone was a U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve field cook and the wife of GySgt John Basilone, who was killed at Iwo Jima.
Jul 18, 2024 · About Lena Mae Riggi. After John Basilone arrived at Camp Pendleton, where he trained Marines for upcoming Pacific battles, he met Lena Riggi. She was also a Marine sergeant (albeit reservist) who had one less stripe than John.
