John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916. He was the sixth of ten children. He dropped out before high school. In 1934, he spent part of this tour in the Philippines. When his enlistment was up, he returned to civilian life, but it did not suit him. He enlisted in the Marines in 1940. He rose to Gunnery Sergeant before his unit was sent to Guadalcanal where he was in command of several heavy machine guns. On October 24, 1942, 3,000 Japanese soldiers attacked Lunga Ridge in what became known as the Battle of Henderson Field. “Manila John” Basilone’s machine guns faced “banzai” yelling fanatical men. They would not retreat even though they were being mown down by Basilone’s machine guns. Basilone moved from gun to gun inspiring his men. There were times when the men had to pee on the overheating gun barrels to keep them working. Even though his unit got surrounded, he went to get more ammo and fought his way back. When he ran out of ammunition and with most of his men killed or wounded, he fought with a pistol and a machete. He was credited with killing 38 Japanese by himself. This feat earned him the Medal of Honor and a ticket home. Basilone turned down getting the medal from FDR. Instead, he received it in front of his unit. He became a big star on several bond tours. He did not want the celebrity status, so he requested a return to action. He turned down a promotion to officer and a job as a training instructor. Finally, the Marine Corps agreed to his request. In 1944, he married Marine Sergeant Lena Rigg. He left her to invade Iwo Jima. He led his men off the beach under heavy fire. He assaulted a blockhouse by himself. He then guided a tank that was stuck in a mine field. He did this under artillery and machine gun fire. Soon after, he was killed. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. He was the only Marine in the war who received the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross.
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines’ defensive positions, Sgt. BASILONE, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. BASILONE’S sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. BASILONE, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Navy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Basilone
https://www.military.com/history/marine-gunnery-sgt-john-basilone.html
By the way, you would not have a bare hand on the barrel because the barrel would get very hot.
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