John Basilone and Lena Riggi Wedding


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

In late December 1943, after requesting once again to return to the Pacific, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was assigned to Camp Pendleton, California, where he was assigned to a unit training to deploy to the Pacific. While there, he fell in love with a female Marine sergeant, Lena Mae Riggi. They dated a few months, then married in July 1944.


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.


Lena Mae Gamblin The Troy Times Tribune

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.


Basilone and Sgt Lena Mae Riggi USMC Life

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.


John Basilone and Lena Riggi wedding. Vintage Wedding Party, Wedding Parties, Eugene Sledge

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.


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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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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.


Lena Riggi The Pacific Wiki

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 (1913 1999) Find A Grave Photos

John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima.


Pin on History WW2

Sergeant Lena Mae Riggi Basilone (formerly Lena Mae Riggi) was the love interest, and eventual wife of John Basilone Contents 1 History 1.1 Meeting John Basilone 1.2 Dating and Marriage 1.3 Widowed 1.4 Later Life 2 Trivia 3 See Also History Lena was born in 1913.


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Lena Mae Basilone (Riggi) (c.1913 - 1999) - Genealogy MSgt. Lena Basilone ‹ Back to Basilone surname View Complete Profile Historical records matching MSgt. Lena Basilone Lena Riggi in 1930 United States Federal Census Lena M Basilone in Social Security Death Index Lena M Basilone in U.S. Veterans Burial Sites, 1775 - 2013


John Basilone’s Pride is Still Remembered Today Hoofprints

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.


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

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.


We Stand Alone Together — buckybarnesss Day 30 Most badass moment

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.


Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone Female marines, Sergeant, Us marine corps

Story by Aleena Malik • 1mo Lena Riggi never remarried after her husband's death, a testament to the strong bond they shared and the love she had for him. Lena continued to honor John.


Sgt Lena Mae (Riggi) Basilone Women Marines Association

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..

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