Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone met Marine Sergeant Lena Riggi, a member of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. The two fell in love and were married on July 10, 1944, at Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside, California. Their wedding celebration was held at the Carlsbad Hotel.
Tragically, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was killed in action on February 19, 1945—the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, honored as one of the Marine Corps’ greatest heroes.
Lena Basilone never remarried. She lived a quiet life, carrying forward her husband’s legacy until her death on June 11, 1999. She is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.
While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone met Marine Sergeant Lena Riggi, a member of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. The two fell in love and were married on July 10, 1944, at Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside, California. Their wedding celebration was held at the Carlsbad Hotel.
Tragically, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was killed in action on February 19, 1945—the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, honored as one of the Marine Corps’ greatest heroes.
Lena Basilone never remarried. She lived a quiet life, carrying forward her husband’s legacy until her death on June 11, 1999. She is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.
