New Jersey Hall of Fame to Host Remembrance Day for Sgt. John Basilone November 18

Written By Mike Greenblatt
ELC Homecoming Social Basilone

Hero Sgt. John Basilone—originally inducted into the NJ HOF in 2011—will be remembered November 18 at the New Jersey Hall of Fame. During World War II, the Raritan native fought heroically at the Battle of Guadalcanal, for which he won the Congressional Medal of Honor. Sent home, he sold war bonds and the story of holding off so many Japanese soldiers almost by himself became the stuff of legend. He became a national celebrity but he missed his fellow soldiers so much that he requested a return to the front lines of battle. Thus, it was on the beach at Iwo Jimo, where he lost his life. His amazing exploits were documented dramatically in the HBO miniseries The Pacific.

Raritan Mayor Carra will be on hand, as will Sgt. Basilone’s niece, Diane Basilone Hawkins. The event will take place from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the NJ HOF at American Dream on Route 3 in East Rutherford (Level 3, Court G). For further information on how to attend, visit https://njhalloffame.org/

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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