Beschreibung:

[WORLD WAR II] BASILONE, JOHN Signature on War Bonds Certificate. [Washington:] circa 7 December 1943. Printed slip wi... . [Washington:] circa 7 December 1943. Printed slip within a decorative border, headed "Third Naval District" and dated as above, the blank line accomplished in manuscript in ink "Mrs. Mildred A. Clark" and signed in ink below the printed text "J Basilone", the verso with additional printed text. 7 1/2 x 4 inches (19.5 x 10.5 cm). Light rust stain and indentation at head from an old paper clip, minor signs of handling, accompanied by a photographic reproduction of the same. U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary action and story of survival in the Battle of Guadalcanal. During the battle, Basilone's company was attacked by approximately 3000 Japanese soldiers using heavy machine guns and grenades. In command of two machine guns plus a third that he managed to fix and drag into position, Basilone and just two other men withstood fire and without sleep or food held the enemy back for two full days. With his supply lines cut off, Basilone fought through hostile enemy ground to retrieve much needed ammunition and when this ran out he held off the incoming Japanese soldiers with only his pistol and a machete. For his actions, Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor and in 1943 was sent home to participate in War Bond Tours and parades to benefit the War effort. Feeling out of place with his newfound celebrity, Basilone reenlisted in the Marine Corp in mid-1944 and sadly was killed during the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945. He was posthumously issued the Navy Cross. His signature is quite scarce. C