The Pacific (88 page)

43
USMC Personnel File, Eugene Sledge.

44
Georgia Tech Alumnus
, May/June 1943, p. 87, courtesy of the Georgia Institute of Technology Archives.

45
Map of Campus and Environs of Georgia School of Technology, 1940-41, published by Alpha Phi Omega, courtesy of Georgia Tech Historical Center.

46
USMC Personnel File, John Basilone.

47
Photographic Collection of Richard Greer; interviews with Richard Greer.

48
"Visits Buddy," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Scrapbook, RPL.

49
This story comes entirely from Sid Phillips's unpublished memoir "You'll Be Sor-ree!" (p. 78). It is used by permission.

50
"Chock to Chock."

51
Ibid.

52
The Seahorse
, a publication of the Roosevelt Base, August 28, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

53
"Basilone Tells Story."

54
John Basilone Western Union Telegram to Mrs. Dora Basilone, August 25, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

55
Dorothy Zimmer letter to John Basilone, November 10, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

56
Basilone USMC Personnel File.

57
Ibid.

58
"Brother of Manila John Prefers Air Corps to Army, Marines," undated [September 1943] clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

59
"Basilone Day,"
Raritan Valley News
, July 1, 1943, RPL.

60
George Basilone letter to John Basilone, July 22, 1943, Basilone Family Collection. This letter, given its date, could not have reached John in Australia. It shows that George knew details of the event in Raritan, and he was excited to tell his brother.

61
"Basilone Day,"
Raritan Valley News
, July 1, 1943, RPL.

62
USMC Official Orders, Basilone Family Collection; Basilone Personnel File. 63 Dorothy Zimmer letter to John Basilone, November 10, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

64
Samuel C. Grashio and Bernard Norling,
Return to Freedom
(Spokane, Washington: University Press, 1982), p. 29.

65
Maj. Austin Shofner to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, March 16, 1944, Personnel File of BGen. Austin Shofner, NRC; Grashio and Norling,
Return to Freedom
, pp. 154-155.

66
Report: Motion Picture Industry in 3rd War Loan Campaign, War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry, undated, Basilone Family Collection.

67
Lawrence R. Samuel,
Pledging Allegiance
(Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institute Press, 1998), p. 58.

68
Samuel,
Pledging Allegiance
, p. 5.

69
"Jersey Marine Cited: Killed 38 at Guadalcanal, Wins Congressional Medal for 3-day Machine-gun Rampage Without Let-up,"
New York Herald Tribune
, June 23, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

70
"Basilone Family Busy with Mail," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, RPL.

71
"Marine Held Off Entire Jap Regiment for 3 Days," June 24, 1943, clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

72
"Basilone to Make Bond Tour, Harry Hirshfield Accepts MC Job," undated [June or July 1943] clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

73
"Poohs Japs' Brains," undated AP clipping and wire photo, Basilone Family Collection.

74
"Marine Calls Japs Gorillas," AP story,
New York Journal-American
, September 4, 1943, Basilone Family Collection; see also "Congress Medal for Killing 38,"
New York Journal-American
, September 3, 1943, courtesy of the Dorsorgna Family.

75
"Marine Hero to Appear Here," undated [before bond tour] clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

76
Undated photo of John Basilone in dress blue uniform with one stripe (Pfc.), Basilone Family Collection.

77
Interview with W. Burns Lee, in the documentary
The Saga of Manila John,
undated, Chuck Tatum Productions.

78
"For Propaganda Use," undated, unknown source, Basilone Family Collection.

79
"Dimout Gives Way to New Brownout; Effective Monday,"
The New York Times
, October 27, 1943.

80
"Basilone Starts War Bond Tour Today," undated [September 9, 1943] clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

81
July 23, 1945, clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

82
Giovanni Basilone, Certificate of Birth, New York State Department of Health, City of Buffalo (registered 11393), date of certificate November 6, 1919 [date of birth November 4, 1916], Basilone Family Collection.

83
Report to the Congress of the United States: A Review of the Restrictions on Persons of Italian Ancestry During WWII, United States Department of Justice,
www.usdoj.gov/crt/Italian_Report.pdf
.

84
Ibid.

85
Ibid.

86
"Listen, Benito: We're Proud of Buffalo- born Basilone," UPI story, June 24, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

87
"N.J. Marine Wrecks Jap Attack,"
New York Post
, June 24, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

88
"Marine Hero Comes Here," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection; see also "Jersey War Hero His Gun Slew So Many He Had to Move," UPI story,
Newark Star-Ledger
, undated, RPL.

89
Donald Basilone interview with author.

90
"Hero Praises His Buddies,"
Somerset Messenger-Gazette
, September 4, 1943, Basilone Family Collection; "Basilone Tells Story."

91
"Meeting Mayor LaGuardia," a film file found on
www.youtube.com
.

92
Sunday Mirror
, September 5, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

93
"Guadalcanal Hero Welcomed by City,"
The New York Times
, September 5, 1943.

94
"Hero Praises His Buddies,"
Somerset Messenger-Gazette
.

95
Fitzpatrick, "Basilone Tour Biography," undated MS, Basilone Family Collection.

96
Ed Sullivan, "Little Old New York," undated column in unidentified newspaper, RPL.

97
Report: Motion Picture Industry in 3rd War Loan Campaign, War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry, undated, Basilone Family Collection.

98
"Basilone Starts War Bond Tour Today," September 8, 1943, clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

99
"Airmada" advertisement, unidentified newspaper, undated, Basilone Family Collection.

100
Bond Tour Photo Collection, Basilone Family Collection.

101
"Film Stars to Launch 3rd Bond Drive," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

102
Fitzpatrick, "Basilone Tour Biography," undated MS, Basilone Family Collection.

103
"War Heroes Help Sell $2,000,000 in Bonds," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

104
Samuel,
Pledging Allegiance
, p. xix.

105
"War Heroes Help Sell $2,000,000 in Bonds," undated newspaper clipping.

106
"Albany Ready to Welcome Hero Caravan," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection; "Heroes, Stars Set for Evening Rally Program," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

107
"Jap Killer Waves Greeting," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

108
"Corp. Schoenecker's Mother Plans Talk With Son's Pal," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection; untitled and undated clipping, Plainfield newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

109
"I'm Glad to Get Overseas Duty," by GySgt. John Basilone, USMC Archives.

110
Bond Tour Photo Collection, Basilone Family Collection.

111
George Walker letter, September 20, 1943; Mrs. Lloyd T. Schenker letter, September 10, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

112
"Corp. Schoenecker's Mother Plans Talk With Son's Pal," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

113
Sgt. Thomas J. McAllister to Mary G. Basilone, May 25, 1985, Basilone Family Collection.

114
"I'm Glad to Get Overseas Duty," by GySgt. John Basilone, USMC Archives.

115
Mrs. C. B. Butts to John Basilone, October 13, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

116
"Record Crowd, Celebrities Hail Basilone at War Bond Rally,"
Raritan Valley News
, September 23, 1943.

117
"Screen Stars, Military Units, 12 Bands in 2-Mile Parade,"
Raritan Valley News
, September 16, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

118
"
Life
Goes to a Hero's Homecoming,"
Life
, October 11, 1943 (hereafter
Life
Article).

119
"Record Crowd, Celebrities Hail Basilone at War Bond Rally,"
Raritan Valley News
, September 23, 1943.

120
Golden Article.

121
"Brother of Manila John Prefers Air Corps to Army, Marines," undated clipping [September 1943] from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

122
Film footage of the John Basilone Day Parade, author's collection.

123
"Sidelights,"
Raritan Valley News
, September 16, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

124
Life
Article.

125
"Record Crowd, Celebrities Hail Basilone at War Bond Rally,"
Raritan Valley News
, September 23, 1943.

126
"General Bowers Warns Basilone Day Crowd Against Rosy Dreams," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

127
"Fearless Sgt. Basilone Awed by Actress's Kiss," "20,000 Honor Raritan Hero of Guadalcanal," "Rally Nets $1,300,000 Bonds," all from
New York Herald Tribune
, September 20, 1943.

128
Movietone News Report, "Marine Sergeant John Basilone Comes Home," in author's possession, as well as a longer, unedited version of the same film footage.

129
John Basilone Speech, handwritten notecards, undated, Basilone Family Collection.

130
"General Bowers Warns Basilone Day Crowd Against Rosy Dreams," undated newspaper clipping.

131
"Manila John," lyrics by W. A. Jack and music by Joseph Memoli, MS, Basilone Family Collection.

132
"Basilone Day," undated clipping from
Raritan Valley News
, RPL.

133
"Marine Hero Visits Buddies at Manville," Johns- Manville Corporate Publication, undated, Basilone Family Collection.

134
"I'm Glad to Get Overseas Duty," by GySgt. John Basilone, USMC Archives.

135
Sledge to Dear Mom, September 28, 1943, SCAU.

136
"Raritan Recalls Its Hero Marine as a Brave Kid," undated clipping from
New York Journal
-
American
, RPL.

137
"Welcoming Committee," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection.

138
Ibid.

139
"Raritan Hero Got Action He Sought in Marines," June 24, 1943, clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection; see also
New York Herald Tribune
, June 23, 1943.

140
"Welcoming Committee," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection. The story of John's prowess at boxing has been included in most every account of his life. Along with this interview, the author cites John's official USMC file, which asked for his preferences in sports. He checked "softball" and "golf " [twice], but not boxing.

141
Golden Article.

142
"Welcoming Committee," undated newspaper clipping.

143
Golden Article.

144
Ibid.

145
Sgt. James J. Nicholl letter to John Basilone, November 15, 1943, Basilone Family Collection. Nicholl writes that he received John's letter "about a month ago." Adding the time it took John's letter to reach him, that puts the date of John's letter in late September.

146
Albert Masco (D-1-7) interview, author's collection.

147
Virginia Greer to Mary Basilone, October 11, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

148
Julia McCarthy, "He Got Ammunition--And Medal of Honor," unidentified newspaper, "Brooklyn Section," October 15, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

149
Ibid.

150
John Basilone Personnel File; interviews and e-mails with Donald Basilone, author's collection.

151
Donald Basilone interview with author, author's collection.

152
Sylvia Spears to John Basilone, October 14, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

153
Lt. Pat Heles, Co A, 29th Bn, Ft. McClellan, Alabama, October 14, 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

154
Report: Motion Picture Industry in 3rd War Loan Campaign, War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry, undated Basilone Family Collection.

155
"Visits Buddy," undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Scrapbook, RPL.

156
Undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, Basilone Family Collection; see also letter from Richard Greer to John Basilone, November 1943, Basilone Family Collection.

157
Family Photos, Basilone Family Collection.

158
John Basilone Western Union Telegram, November 2, 1943, Basilone Family Collection. John sent a telegram to Mary, asking about having someone meet him at the Raritan train station at ten p.m.; he was on his way back from Pennsylvania.