Fourteen members of the Joseph Young Hawk-Elmer Bear American Legion Post 253 and Auxiliary of White Shield took part in the John Basilone Parade on Sept. 22. The parade honors the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive three major citations: Congressional Medal of Honor, Purple Heart and Navy Cross.

The late U.S. Marine gunnery sergeant grew up in Raritan.

“It was a great honor to be asked. I thought it was so moving to this man’s accomplishments and the type of men who were veterans showing nobility and honor,” said Gerilyn Yellow Bird, vice president of the Auxiliary.

Basilone died Feb. 19, 1945, while leading his heavy machine gun squad off the beach on Iwo Jima. Prior, he served at Guadalcanal. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Submitted Photo Joseph Young Hawk-Elmer Bear American Legion Post 253 and Auxiliary members pose for this photo in Raritan, N.J., shown in this photo from Calvin Black Hawk. The group took part in the annual John Basilone Parade held there in September.

While attending the convention for the 100th anniversary of the National American Legion & Auxiliary in Indianapolis, Alfred and Judy Wilson of Raritan, N.J., invited the North Dakota group to take part in the parade. Austin Gillette, a past commander of the White Shield Legion Post, asked Post and Auxiliary members if they would be interested. They accepted the invitation to travel the approximately 1,700 miles to Raritan to pay respects in honor of the Marine Medal of Honor recipient.

After arriving in Raritan, the White Shield group attended a charity ball for the parade with donors and others guests including local dignitaries and Marines.

The parade went through the main part of town, Yellow Bird said. She said people lined “all of way” of the parade route.

“Everyone was warm and wonderful,” she added.

“The hospitality was overwhelming and was awesome,” said Madonna Azure, Auxiliary president.

Submitted Photo The John Basilone Parade ends at a statue of Basilone in Raritan, N.J. Photo from Tom Horvath.

The parade ended at a statue of Basilone where people could take their photos.

After the parade the Wilsons invited the group to the American Legion in Raritan where a welcoming gathering was held for the North Dakotans.

When the North Dakota group walked in they received a standing ovation. A sign, “Welcome Younghawk/Bear American Legion Post/Unit 253” also greeted them. Robin Fox, Post commander, and Azure, Auxiliary president, were asked to cut a cake with the same inscription, “Welcome…” on it.

“We just had a wonderful time,” Yellow Bird said of the visit.

Post and Auxiliary members said they were honored to be invited to the parade.

Submitted Photo Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone is interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo from Tom Horvath.

Yellow Bird said they’re already making plans to attend next year’s parade.