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He is known as the father of Machine Gunners, although Mitchell Paige might have a thing or two to say about that. John Basilone stacked bodies on Guadalcanal like we draw breath. It was only natural to him. How some men are able to just go until the mission is accomplished, till they've lasted through the night of attacks and hellfire will always inspire and amaze us. How did this mere mortal (we're not sure about that) come to accomplish such heroic feats while under extreme peril?Sadly we'll never know, but Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone set a standard for Marines on that island. He was the real-life version of the famed "Animal Mother" from Full Metal Jacket, calm cool and collected under fire. Much like the Spartans at Thermopylae, he built a wall out of fallen enemies. Except...he had to clear and destroy his wall several times throughout the night in order to get a clear field of fire for his fighting position.The man ran guns, fixed guns and retrieved ammo for two others and himself for three days with no food, no sleep, and no water according to the two other Marines who were present on that fateful night.
Also, he engaged in hand to hand combat and wielded his machete from time to time against the attacking Japanese forces. Utilizing his machine guns, his pistol, his machete and his hands, John Basilone weathered mortar fire, grenades, and gunfire as he made the green grass grow. He even crossed enemy lines to grab ammo for the other gunners and himself, to which we're sure the enemy forces were like "Bro was that an American who just crossed our lines...naaaahhhh....omg he just did it again!"Here's to Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, inspiring us all to be better warriors and better Marines.Read more stories of American Grit here:
