John and Lena Basilone's wedding party.They were married at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside,Ca on July 10, 1944(rudeerude)

John and Lena Basilone

Marines at Paris Island S.C., Basic training at the rifle range,1941 (rudeerude)

Basic training at the rifle range

The battle for Peleliu in the Palau Islands group, lasted from 9/15 to 11/25, 1944, and cost the U.S. Forces 3,336 men killed, and 8,450 wounded, while the Japanese lost 10,695 men killed, and 202 taken prisoner. This is the wreckage of a Japanese tank, its turret ripped off by an internal explosion. This photo was taken at the airfield, scene of some of the most savage fighting of the battle. (scanned by HOS Bandit)