Are we equal to those to those who came before, who gave us the life we enjoy? Now 107 years ago, in November 1916, John Basilone was born to a big Catholic family, no idea the war just ending would be followed by another, his war.
Three years later, another boy came into the world, Doug Munro. Like John, Doug had no idea what lay ahead. With love of country, John and Doug rose to defend America when the “gathering storm” broke over their youth, World War II.
Basilone joined the Marines, Munro the Coast Guard. On December 7, 1941, both knew – like everyone else – the world was on fire, their service needed. They stepped up.
In September 1942, not a year later, both were in the Pacific, caught in the swirl and horror of Japan’s aggression, smack in the middle of Guadalcanal’s Campaign.
In the Second Battle of Matanakau, part of Guadalcanal, their lives unexpectedly met, the way lives sometimes do, God’s direction, no warning, tremendous import.
Basilone was part of three US Marine companies being overrun by a larger Japanese force. Munro led a covey of small Higgins boats, realized what was happening, swept in under withering fire, worked intensely to get the Marines out, Basilone among them.
To execute that rescue, Munro – just 22 – positioned his boat between the Japanese and loading Marines. In that process, he drew heavy fire, allowing boats to load.
With the Marines nearly done, Higgins boats now departing, Munro used his boat as a shield, until the three companies – including Basilone – looked like they were off.
At the last minute, a bullet found Munro. He died beside shipmate Ray Evans. Evans reported Munro’s last words were, “Did they get off?”
As Evans wrote, “… seeing my affirmative nod, he smiled that smile I knew and liked so well, and then…was gone.”
For “extraordinary heroism,” Doug Munro was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the only US Coast Guard member ever to win that coveted honor.
Munro’s citation, in part, reads: “For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action, above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of a group of Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a Battalion of Marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces…on September 27, 1942…under constant risk of his life…He valiantly placed his craft with its two small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese” and “undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished…gave up his life in defense of his country.”
God has a way of making high sacrifice meaningful. He did for Doug Munro. One of those saved by Munro was John. And you know about John Basilone, right?
John Basilone, a Marine Gunnery Sergeant, was soon in another battle, same campaign, Battle of Henderson Field, his unit under attack by 3000 Japanese soldiers.
Somehow Basilone held on, constantly aiding other Marines on the front lines, until there were just…three left. He held the position, never gave it up.
Basilone killed countless enemy attackers with his overheated machine gun, changing barrels with burned hands, and killed 38 who charged him, using just a knife and sidearm. He did not sleep for three days or nights.
For his heroism, made possible by Munro’s heroism, Basilone received the Congressional Medal of Honor. In part, his citation reads: “For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty…While the enemy was hammering at the Marines’ defensive positions…fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault…in a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting…” he showed “great personal valor and courageous initiative…”
One can never do justice to a Medal of Honor citation without the full text, but you get it. Love of country and brothers in arms led these men to do the unthinkable.
Basilone came home, fell in love, got married, was given the chance to stay stateside, but wanted to serve, and returned to the front. At Iwo Jima, he saved more men, and died in the process. He received the Navy Cross, the only enlisted Marine to receive both awards in World War II.
John’s widow, Lena, never remarried, and died in 1999. His last brother, who also served, died in 2022.
The question is this – pointedly, poignantly, and importantly: Knowing every life counts, that freedom depends on courage of Doug Munro’s and John Basilone’s kind, that we depend on each other across and within generations, do we still have it in us? I think so. I pray so.
Those who go before teach us, including about sacrifice. Their sacrifice makes our lives possible. The question, if we look inward and outward, is whether we are working hard enough to be worthy, to be equal to their gift. That is the task.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC.
