U.S. Soldiers in the Pacific Theater
John Basilone
Born: November 4th 1916 in Buffalo, New York
In July of 1940 John enlisted in the Marine Corps in Baltimore, Maryland. He served as Gunnery Seargeant in the battle of the Guadalcanal with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
PFC Philips had claimed, "Basilone had a machine gun on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest or food,".
Basilone had killed 38 Japanese soldiers from his encampment before being killed in action. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
His remains were placed at the Arlington National Cemetary after the end of the war.
The USS Basilone was commissioned in his honor at the Boston Naval Shipard in July 1949.
Desmond T. Doss
Born: February 7th, 1919 in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Desmond was one of 700,000 men designated as conscientious objectors. Their religious beliefs were against war. He served in a noncombat role in the Army Medical Corps.
He treated the wounds of several injured men before dragging them to safety. He saved 75 lives while in Okinawa.
James J. Fahey
Born: 1918 in Hell's Kitchen, New York
He was originally a garbage truck driver before becoming a best-selling author in 1963. His book, "Pacific War Diary: 1942-45". The book contained memoirs that he had written on paper notes he had during his experience as a seaman on a ship.
Diary Excerpt:
November 23, 1942
It was a great feeling as I staggered up the gangway to the ship with my sea bag in one hand and the mattress cover loaded with blankets, mattresses, etc., over my shoulder. At last I have a home – and a warship at that.
