John Basilone

John Basilone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Basilone (marine core))

John Basilone
Born on November 4, 1916 in Buffalo New York
Died on February 19, 1945
At the age of 28 on Iwo Jima Served on Guadalcanal and Henderson air field and Iwo Jima Rank Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone is my hero because he saved all those Americans from getting injured or dying in Guadalcanal, Henderson air field, and Iwo Jima then died on Iwo Jima he is a real soldier. On Henderson air field they tried to take control of the air field so they could have planes land closer to the islands. So they had three platoons run across the airfield followed by air plane bomber clearing the way Japan took many casualties and John Basilone led them in.

Medal Of Honor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Basilone (Medal Of Honor))

On Guadalcanal John Basilone was in charge of 14 teen light machine gunners they took up camp were Japan's soldiers were coming through they fought all night. John Basilone had to keep running back for ammo for his light machine gunners he came back with ammo but the right flank was breech so he pick up his light machine gun and carried it over while it was hot after he got over there he sat it up on sandbags and started to shoot at Japanes soldiers after the fight was done that he went looking for his friend at the medical station one of the doctors said you have third degree burn on your forehand. He didn't find his friends so he went back into the jungle back to his men then he seen his friend shot and killed in line of duty.

On Iwo Jima there were ships, land vehicles, air planes and thousands of marines and army men. 216 Japanese soldiers were taking in to American hands. Iwo Jima was the deadliest war in World War 2.They award him the Medal of Honor in Guadalcanal for his valor/bravery above the call of duty and the Navy Cross the second highest medal can get for valor/bravery to his men in the war. He also got the Purple Heart for dying or wounded in action. Got married on July 10,1944 to Lena Mae Riggi. Then went back in the army then. Died on Iwo Jima at the age of 28. That is why he is my hero.