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SOCIETY AND CULTURE
2 mins


THE INSPIRING LIFE OF LENA RIGGI: THE WIFE OF WORLD WAR II HERO JOHN BASILONE

An Unforgettable Love Amidst World War: Unveiling the Tale of Lena Mae Riggi,
Wife of Decorated War Hero John Basilone. Their Heartfelt Love Story Remains an
Inspiring Testament to Lasting Affection.
by Rob Gillham | Jan 1 2024



As the spotlight shines on the exceptional bravery of World War II hero John
Basilone, it is also worth highlighting who Lena Riggi was: his beloved wife.
Lena was a love at first sight and she was much more than the spouse of a
decorated war hero, but a strong woman with a unique story. 
 


LOVE ON THE BATTLEFIELD 

John Basilone proved his courage by battling countless Japanese troops in the
Pacific. He fearlessly repaired and managed multiple machine guns during the
grueling Guadalcanal battle, often risking his life for crucial ammunition.

Despite his fame and legendary status in the Marine Corps, Basilone held simple
family values close to his heart.

Basilone was hailed as a war hero upon his return from Guadalcanal and achieved
instant fame. Then he met Lena Mae Riggi, a Women’s Marine Corps Reserve
sergeant. 

Basilone was captivated by Lena’s no-nonsense demeanor and toughness, leading to
their marriage in July 1944. But only a few months later, John was assigned to
participate in the invasion of Iwo Jima, and they had to separate, dreaming
about their plans once the war ended.

Sadly, Lena’s happiness was tragically cut short when Basilone lost his life in
Iwo Jima in February 1945, only seven months into their marriage and at the
young age of 28. 

As their marriage ended only a few months later, the couple had no children.
After John’s death, Lena never remarried.

She dedicated her life to serving the Marine Corps and her community and
preserving John’s memory and legacy, always wearing the wedding ring John gave
her.
 


JOHN BASILONE’S HONOR: A WORLD WAR II HERO

John Basilone’s bravery has made him a decorated hero. As a Marine Corps Gunnery
Sergeant, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military’s highest award
for valor, for his extraordinary heroism in action during the Battle for
Henderson Field in Guadalcanal in 1942.

Furthermore, he was posthumously bestowed with the Navy Cross for his great
courage during his deployment in Iwo Jima, where he met his end. As the only
enlisted Marine to be awarded these prestigious medals during World War II, John
Basilone’s heroism is a testament to his heroism.

If you want to discover more stories of World War II, check out the fascinating
book Bloodlands on Blinkist. In this book, author Timothy Snyder tells the
tragic story of the people caught in the crossfire between Nazi Germany and the
Soviet Union during World War II.

The victims of the “bloodlands,” as were named the territories that after the
war became the Eastern Bloc, were pushed and pulled by two ruthless powers and
treated like pawns both before the conflict and afterward.

Read it on Blinkist

BLOODLANDS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by Timothy Snyder

BLOODLANDS

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by Timothy Snyder
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 2. audio version available

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ABOUT THE WRITER
Rob Gillham

Originally from the north of England, Robin is an experienced journalist,
editor, and writer. He has an incredibly specific knowledge of Russian cinema
and wrote two dissertations about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster before HBO made
it cool. He has travelled across Ukraine and is currently practicing how to cook
the perfect blini.

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