Going My Way?

John Basilone/Lena Riggi

War is brutish, inglorious, and a terrible waste… The only redeeming factors were my comrades’ incredible bravery and their devotion to each other. Marine Corps training taught us to kill efficiently and to try to survive. But it also taught us loyalty to each other - and love

“You’re saying that Mary Houston is going to be Mary Houston Phillips?”

John and Lena Basilone

“There was a time the world expected ordinary men to do extraordinary things”

“I read an article about paratroopers in Life magazine. Talked about the training, how hard it was. It said if you wanted to make it as a paratrooper, you had to be the best. And I wanted to fight with the best, Sir”

There was an old man on the bus talking to two girls around 21 and recounting his memories of the war. When the bus stopped he pointed out this wall and told them how he remembered him and his friends picking bullets and shrapnel out of the wall after an air raid. I was sitting behind just smiling and listening. When he got off the two girls just started giggling and started talking about how boring he was and calling him a “crazy weirdo”. I don’t think I’m ever as angry and sad as when I think about the sacrifices made by those people during the war and how forgotten and unappreciated their efforts are. They lived through hell, even those who were two young or unable to fight. They lost brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers and I think about the things that are valued in this day and age and I want to be sick.

Joe and Bill get hit

Webster questioning a German about the local concentration camp

John and Lena Basilone (1944-1945)

During Lena’s time at Camp Pendleton she met John Basilone. They were married on July 7, 1944 and spent some time together before John returned to the South Pacific. He was killed on February 19, 1945 on Iwo Jima. Lena was notified of his death on March 7, 1945 – her 32nd birthday. Lena never remarried. She purchased a home in Lakewood, California and lived there for over 50 years until her death

Best of Doc Roe

“Here’s to those who've seen us at our best and seen us at our worst and can’t tell the difference”

Eugene Roe Vanity Fair outtakes as requested by anon.