AJR103 TR

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman ERIK PETERSON

District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)

Assemblyman JOHN DIMAIO

District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman Fantasia, Assemblymen Inganamort, Rumpf, Assemblywomen Drulis, Flynn, Assemblyman Coughlin and Assemblywoman Lopez

SYNOPSIS

Designates September 22 as "John Basilone Day."

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As reported by the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee with technical review.

A Joint Resolution designating September 22 of each year as “John Basilone Day.”

Whereas, John Basilone was raised in Raritan, New Jersey when he left to enlist in the United States Army at age 17; and

Whereas, Basilone was honorably discharged from the Army and began work as a truck driver before enlisting with the United States Marine Corps in 1940, a year before the United States entered World War II; and

Whereas, At the Battle of Guadalcanal, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone commanded two heavy machine gun sections charged with defending Henderson Field, a key Allied airstrip on the Solomon Islands; and

Whereas, With one machine gun post destroyed by Japanese forces, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone raced 200 yards with a 90 pound machine gun in hand to secure a faltering line; and

Whereas, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone also ran through enemy gunfire and between nearby machine gun posts repairing weapons and resupplying fellow Marines with ammunition; and

Whereas, Successfully defending Henderson Field during the Battle of Guadalcanal was a turning point for Allied forces as it established their air superiority in the region and provided a significant advantage in future engagements; and

Whereas, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at Henderson Field; and

Whereas, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was then sent back to the United States where he was given a hero’s welcome; and

Whereas, The Marine Corps subsequently placed Gunnery Sergeant Basilone on a nationwide war bonds tour which ultimately yielded $1.4 million pledged to the war effort; and

Whereas, With a strong desire to return to combat, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone requested reassignment and was sent to Iwo Jima where he freed a group of Marines trapped on the beach, led their assault of an enemy guard post, and helped an Allied tank navigate through a minefield; and

Whereas, As he initiated another attack, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was struck by mortar fire and succumbed to his wounds on the first day of battle; and

Whereas, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart for his actions at Iwo Jima; and

Whereas, Today Gunnery Sergeant Basilone’s heroism and sacrifice are recognized in cities and towns across the country and at various United States military installations; and

Whereas, HBO honored Gunnery Sergeant Basilone in its 2010 miniseries “The Pacific” which portrayed the experiences of American servicemen fighting in the Pacific Theater during World War II; and

Whereas, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone is the only member of the armed forces to earn both the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, the nation’s two highest military honors, for his actions during World War II; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. September 22 of each year is designated as “John Basilone Day” in the State of New Jersey to honor the extraordinary heroism displayed by New Jersey native John Basilone at the Battles of Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima during World War II.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe “John Basilone Day” with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.