County Sheriff's Department
For providing a
safe secure environment
at the parade.
Click to hear
1:01
General Zilmer's Comments
about John Basilone
(A speech worth listening to.)
10:14
WHEREAS, JOHN BASILONE, long-time resident of the Borough of Raritan and member of the First Battalion, First Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps,
has brought honor and recognition to the Borough of Raritan and the United States by his contributions on Guadalcanal; and
WHEREAS, John Basilone, while the enemy was hammering at the Marine’s defense positions, was in charge of two sections of heavy machine guns; and
WHEREAS, John Basilone, at great risk to 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 annihilation of an enemy regiment; and
WHEREAS, his great personal value and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service; and
WHEREAS, he honored and credited his family, friends and citizens of Raritan by winning his nation’s highest military honor,
the Congressional Medal of Honor and was also recognized with other honors; and
WHEREAS, on February 19, 1945 during the invasion of Iwo Jima, after single-handedly knocking out an enemy blockhouse that earned him a Navy Cross,
posthumously, Sergeant Basilone was killed.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charles McMullin, Mayor of the Borough of Raritan, do hereby designate and proclaim that September 18, 2016
be recognized as JOHN BASILONE DAY and I call upon each and every citizen of the Borough of Raritan to recognized this special day.
