...a "HERO" for the ages.

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Today in February 19, 1945 Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima. He grew up in Raritan NewJersey. He served three years in the United States Army with duty in the Philippines before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1940. He fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II where he held off 3,000 Japanese troops after his unit was reduced to himself and two other Marines. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Guadalcanal. He was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. On September 21, 1943, Raritan gave Basilone a Welcome Home Parade to honor him. An annual parade is held in his honor each September.

[PickingPA]

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