SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 155
In Memory
of
John Basilone
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
pay tribute to the life of Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, a
World War II Hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and
to declare February 19, 2003, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Day;
and
WHEREAS, John Basilone, was a resident of Raritan, New Jersey,
and served in the First Marine Division and the Fifth Marine
Division of the United States Marine Corps during World War II;
and
WHEREAS, While serving as a gunnery sergeant in the First
Marine Division in the Lunga area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands,
Sergeant Basilone performed heroically in a fierce battle with a
Japanese regiment over October 24 and 25, 1942; at great risk to
his life, he fought valiantly against the enemy, operated and
repaired heavy machine guns after one of his gun crews was
incapacitated, and gallantly defended his position until
replacements arrived; and
WHEREAS, He also battled his way through enemy lines to
carry urgently needed shells to his gunners, contributing in
great measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment;
and
WHEREAS, For his heroism, Sergeant Basilone became the
first enlisted Marine to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor,
which was awarded to him by President Franklin D. Roosevelt; and
WHEREAS, John Basilone returned to his country a true war
hero, and his hometown of Raritan welcomed him with a large
gathering in his honor; he was sent on a 10-state war bond tour
with such celebrities as Frederic March, Martha Scott, and
John Garfield, and he was offered a second lieutenant's
commission, which he turned down; and
WHEREAS, John married Lena Rigi, a fellow Marine sergeant,
in 1944, and later, desirous of returning to combat, he was
assigned to the newly formed Fifth Marine Division and landed
on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945; that same morning, he again
performed heroically, guiding a trapped tank away from a
minefield and destroying an enemy Japanese blockhouse;
John Basilone was killed when an enemy mortar shell exploded
as he and three of his men set up machine guns near Montoyama
Airfield #1; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Basilone was buried in Arlington
National Cemetery, and he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
for his last act of heroism on behalf of his country; since the
1980s, a parade in John's honor has been held annually in his
hometown of Raritan, New Jersey; today, a national effort to have
a postage stamp issued in his honor is underway; and
WHEREAS, John Basilone acted with courage and selflessness
on behalf of his country; his acts of great personal valor were in
keeping with the highest traditions of United States military
service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the late John Basilone
and encourage Texans across the state to observe Gunnery Sergeant
John Basilone Day; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an
expression of the high regard of the Texas Senate.
Estes
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 19, 2003,
by a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate