John Basilone and Lena Riggi Wedding

The Incredible Story of John Basilone, U.S. Marine United States Medals

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.

John Basilone’s Pride is Still Remembered Today Hoofprints

Born on Nov. 4, 1916, in Ruritan, New York, Basilone would go on to become the first U.S. Marine of enlisted rank to earn the Medal of Honor during World War II. He was also the only enlisted Marine to earn the Navy Cross posthumously. Basilone hadn't begun his career in the Marine Corps.

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After repeated requests, Basilone's request to return to combat was approved. On December 27, 1943 he departed for Camp Pendleton, California for training and met his future wife, U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve Sergeant Lena Mae Riggi. On July 10, 1944 the couple was married at St. Mary's Church in Oceanside with a reception at the Carlsbad Hotel.

Marine God Puller Sgt. Lena Basilone Pictures

Lena Mae Riggi was born on March 7, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. Her parents were Italian immigrants. When she reached adulthood she left Oregon to attend business school. During World War II she enlisted in the Marine Corps. She was stationed at Camp Pendleton where she served as a field cook on the base attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Lena Riggi The Pacific Wiki

Sgt Lena Mae Basilone was an Italian American who joined the US Marine Corps Women's Reserve as a field cook. She married GySgt John Basilone before he was deployed to the Pacific theater and.

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While at Camp Pendleton, he met Sgt. Lena Mae Riggi, who was with the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. They were married in Oceanside, California, returning to their duties at Camp Pendleton after a short honeymoon. At the end of 1944, Basilone requested a return to fleet duty.

Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone Sergeant, War bonds, War veterans

While there, he met a female Marine, Lena Mae Riggi. They quickly became inseparable and were married in July 1944. Basilone was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th.

Sgt Lena Mae Riggi Basilone (1913 1999) Find A Grave Photos

While at Camp Pendleton for training he met Lena Mae Riggi, a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve. They were married in July 1944 at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside. Basilone requested a return to the Pacific Theater and served as a machine gun section leader with the 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division.

Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone Women Marines Association

Subscribe Subscribed 14K views 2 years ago #FamousGraves #JohnBasilone Had a chance to visit the gravesite of, and pay my respects to Sgt. Lena Mae Riggi Basilone, widow of Gunnery Sergeant John.

Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone... All Hands Magazine

He spotted Lena Mae Riggi one day while walking the serving line at his new base, and he was smitten.. Riggi was a marine sergeant too but a reservist, so military rules against fraternization.

Lena Mae Gamblin The Troy Times Tribune

In late 1943, Basilone was assigned to Camp Pendleton, California, where he fell in love with Lena Mae Riggi, a female Marine sergeant. They married in July 1944, but their time together was short-lived. Basilone's unit received orders to sail to the Pacific, and he left for combat before Christmas 1944, never seeing his wife again..