In 1942, the Japanese Sendai Division met a nightmare in Henderson Field. His name was Manila John.

When One Marine Held the Line Against 3,000

Coffin Corner got its name for good reason. On October 24, 1942, Sergeant John Basilone’s position at Henderson Field became a killing field when the Japanese Sendai Division attacked.

Three thousand enemy troops hit his thin defensive line. Basilone’s machine gunners died one by one until only three Marines remained standing.

He burned his hands on scorching gun barrels and made suicide runs for ammunition. The result?

Over 1,400 Japanese casualties versus just 70 American losses. Here’s how one man saved Henderson Field, honored today at John Basilone Memorial Park.

Japanese Troops Fight Through Tough Jungle

Japanese soldiers from the Sendai Division started moving toward Henderson Field on October 24, 1942. About 3,000 men walked through thick jungle, leaving behind most heavy guns during their tough 15-mile hike.

They fought through mud and steep hills, already losing formation. Marines heard movement but couldn’t fix their defenses in time.

Heavy rain from 4:00-9:00 PM created more problems for the tired Japanese. Sergeant Ralph Briggs grabbed his radio and told Lt.

Colonel Chesty Puller: “Colonel, there’s about 3,000 Japs between you and me.”

Chesty Puller’s Men Face Huge Enemy Force

The 1st Battalion, 7th Marines held a 2,500-yard defense line with just 700 men. Sergeant John Basilone led two machine gun teams with 16 Marines at the key “Coffin Corner” spot.

The Japanese had three times more men in what Marines called a “machine gunner’s paradise.” The defense included barbed wire with tin cans and half-pulled grenades as alarms.

Rain kept falling as Marines waited in wet foxholes, knowing a big attack was coming soon.

Night Fills with Battle Cries

Around 10:00 PM, Japanese 1st Battalion, 230th Infantry started shooting at Marine positions.

Major General Nasu’s left side force passed within yards of Marine outposts, with one Japanese soldier accidentally kicking a Marine helmet. Groups of soldiers charged American lines, yelling “Banzai!”

Basilone told his men to hold fire until the enemy came within 30 yards, then said to “let them have it. ” Heavy .30-caliber machine guns and mortars tore apart the Japanese lines.

Gun Teams Fall One After Another

Japanese forces hit Basilone’s gun spots with grenades and mortar fire in a planned attack. One of his two machine gun teams got completely wiped out, with crews killed or hurt.

Only Basilone and two other Marines still worked in his part of the key defense line. Enemy troops kept moving forward despite many deaths, nearly breaking through.

Basilone knew he needed to hold the spot by himself until help came.

Basilone Moves Heavy Guns Through Enemy Fire

With bullets flying around him, Basilone dragged a new machine gun to fill the gap left by the destroyed team. He set up and fired the heavy weapon while guiding his few remaining Marines.

Japanese soldiers focused their attack on his spot, seeing it as a key break point. Basilone fixed a broken second machine gun while under fire, using his bare hands on hot metal barrels.

His hands and arms got badly burned from touching the overheated gun parts.

Ammo Runs Turn Deadly

After hours of non-stop firing, Basilone’s bullets ran dangerously low. He made several trips of 200 yards through enemy lines to get more ammo and supplies.

Each risky run meant carrying about 90 pounds of weapons and bullets. Japanese soldiers shot at him during these supply runs but he kept going despite the danger.

Other Marines later said he was “barefooted with eyes red as fire” and his “face dirty black from gunfire.”

Fighting Gets Up Close

Just before dawn on October 25, Basilone ran out of machine gun bullets. He switched to his .45 pistol and machete to keep fighting the attacking Japanese. Bodies piled so high in front of him they had to be pushed down to keep clear shooting lanes.

Basilone personally killed at least 38 Japanese soldiers during the three-day battle. Though greatly outnumbered, he kept control of his key area until dawn.

Three Days With No Rest

Private First Class Nash Phillips saw Basilone fighting for “three days and nights without sleep, rest, or food.” Basilone kept machine guns firing non-stop, also using his pistol when needed.

He fought with his shirt sleeves rolled up and a . 45 pistol in his waistband. He moved between gun spots checking on his Marines while directing defense fire. His amazing stamina and leadership under extreme battle conditions lasted over 72 hours.

Army Help Finally Reaches Marines

Soldiers from the U. S. Army’s 164th Infantry Regiment reached Basilone’s position after three hours of heavy fighting. Fresh troops joined with tired Marines to strengthen the defense line against ongoing Japanese attacks.

Marines traded their bolt-action Springfield rifles for the soldiers’ semi-automatic M-1 Garands. The combined American force pushed back two or three more Japanese attack waves with better firepower.

Basilone kept fighting alongside the reinforcements, still leading his sector.

The Battle Leaves Thousands Of Japanese Dead

By the battle’s end, Japanese forces attacking Marine defensive lines were almost completely wiped out. Over 1,400 Japanese soldiers died compared to only 70 American casualties.

Major General Nasu’s entire assault force suffered catastrophic losses in their failed attempt to break through. Japanese survivors retreated into the jungle, giving up their mission to recapture Henderson Field.

Of Basilone’s original 16-man machine gun sections, only he and two other Marines remained standing.

Roosevelt Awarded The First Enlisted Marine Medal Of Honor

Lt. Colonel Chesty Puller immediately recommended Basilone for the Medal of Honor, recognizing his extraordinary heroism.

Basilone became the first enlisted Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the citation praising his “extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry.”

The citation noted Basilone’s actions were “above and beyond the call of duty” in holding the critical defensive position.

Henderson Field stayed in American hands, ensuring continued Allied air operations in the Solomon Islands.

Visiting John Basilone Memorial Park

You can visit John Basilone Memorial Park at West Somerset Street and Colle Sannita Way in Raritan, New Jersey to honor the Marine hero who earned the first enlisted Medal of Honor in WWII.

The park features nine flags and three monuments honoring veterans.

Check out the John Basilone Museum on the second floor of Raritan Public Library at 54 East Somerset Street. Every September, there’s a memorial parade on the third Sunday at 1 PM.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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