Guadalcanal: Walking the ENDANGERED Basilone Position | History Traveler Episode 411

[@rdotson0]

Due to circumstances, I may not be able to see your channel ever again. It has been a pleasure. May God bless.

[@neclark08]

Hail, and FareWell, @rdotson0

[@aaronlee2371]

God bless you sir!

[@cboling1795]

Good luck sir. Wish you well

[@Scrunggle]

I hope everything is ok 🫡

[@Ex-MuslimMuhammad-o4d]

All the best to you

[@cojaxart8986]

My dad was a Navy Seabee at Guadalcanal prior, and during that battle that Basilone was in. He was in one of the first elements to arrive on the island in August of 1942, under the command of LTC Joe Blunton. The 3 things he recalled (other than the fighting) was the heat, the mosquitos, and the dense jungles. Thank you for your work on this JD. Always superb documentation!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@thomashudgins996]

J.D., I have said it before, and I'll repeat it: You have a professional presence. Couple that with your devotion to the subjects you speak on, and I would enjoy you having your own show on The History Channel or any other channel. Anyone who watches your excellent videos sees not only your knowledge, but they themselves become infected with your passion. You bring your subjects to life. I always enjoy your videos and I hope you continue far, far into the future making them. History is a subject that can never be forgotten. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Much appreciated.

[@toneian]

Excellent comment, we all agree!

[@B-fz7bu]

Nicely put and whole heartedly agree!

[@MichaelSims94]

The prestige of being on the history channel would be cool, but KZbin is even bigger now

[@jamesburleigh7276]

Hear hear. 👍

[@Wideoval73]

I never tire of your great videos. Keep up the great work and thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I appreciate that!

[@ehcatsfaneric2211]

Thank you for this it was my dream to visit this area and I am old now and you did it for me..what a true American hero JB was..

[@LuisYaBoix]

JB touched the lives of so many. Justin Bieber will go down in history.

[@ehcatsfaneric2211]

@@LuisYaBoix that thing from Canada goes "down" all right

[@viniciuscomper]

Went to Basilone's final resting place at Arlington's cemetery last year to pay my respects. I m from Brazil but have the utmost respect for his achievements.

[@garykuipers2696]

Great presentation. FYI there is a statue of John Basilone located at memorial park in Raritan, NJ. This statue was placed on June 7, 1948 and there is an annual parade in his honor. This years parade will be held on Sept. 21, 2025 at 1300 HRS (1 pm). 😎🚂🚃🚃🚃✝

[@Cape-Dweller]

I think both his MOH and Navy Cross citations are on bronze plaques there as well

[@inlandsailor2541]

As much as I prefer the European theatre of WW II, I have truly enjoyed this Guadalcanal series, JD! Thank you!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@inlandsailor2541 - Thanks! The more that you learn about the Pacific War, the more interesting it’ll become to you.

[@maltomilto]

Pacific theatre is unbelievably more interesting.

[@ejatravels]

My G-Uncle was in the Army and landed to support the invasion and Marines. He had malaria, still fought and well came home a different man. He passed away about 20yrs ago. Wish I had time with him to talk (if he wanted to).

[@MattLarkham-nx5uu]

Best military history youtube content by a country mile, 'walking the ground' coming in close second place. This is absolutely spot on, fantastic production, great content, great presenter. Love it!

[@bowen5995]

Basilone was an absolute legend and it’s a shame he was allowed to go back to the front line however he loved his buddies and nothing could stop him from getting there. What a stud!!

[@el_aleman]

Balls of Brass !

[@damrgee8279]

A true American hero God bless him

[@lightingbolt8148]

He wanted to

[@pamelaoliver8442]

I read Flags of Our Fathers and the author talked about "the war/propaganda machine" and how much his father hated it. I wonder if Basilone felt the same way and just wanted to get back to work so to speak

[@rogueinfidel4160]

He wanted to go back. He could have traveled the country and gave moral support. He was all man

[@brentjones3094]

That footage makes Jon Seda’s portrayal of Basilone more impressive. He nailed his speech and mannerisms.

[@jessecallahan6515]

I had read that Steven Spielberg was just knocked dead by Jon’s performance.

[@jessecallahan6515]

Your videos already made me take my wife halfway across the world to Berchtesgaden… And come to think of it, she has been talking about a beach vacation recently! Haha wish me luck

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😂

[@samc6734]

Thank you so very much for keeping history alive

[@bowen5995]

JD and Gettysburg Museum are one of if not THE BEST History channels on YT hands down! Love the onsite experience and production of your content. Excellent and well done guys! 💪🏼💯🇺🇸

[@Longbow-jt8jp]

Definitely among the best

[@GreggGermain-lk8if]

Thaks for capturing this..the last vestige of the battle.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad to share it.

[@susanr1903]

Kids should learn this .

[@Breathofdeathh]

Basilone was a true warrior. Survived hell, gets a chance to get out and live but instead decided to go back into service where he would wind up giving his life. I absolutely love your content here - I would absolutely love to work for you. Probably no chance the Gettysburg museum is looking for any kind of production assistant or anything in general? 😂

[@ronswinford4952]

Great job capturing that area for what may be the last time when you can still see the scars of the battle. Time moves on, people have to eat, hopefully a garden there will be a fitting place all these years later. You continue to find the human side of the stories and present them in a way that is respectful JD.

[@kennykeleher4128]

I live not far from where This hero grew up. I have followed his story again and again. For 25 years I have drove by his home on the way to work. And I always remember John Basilone. God Bless all our WW 2 Soldiers. Thank you for an excellent video. Kenny Keleher/ Flemington, NJ

[@YuriBeckers9thID]

Great video! So great you have been able to visit now, before the whole area changes. Great info and footage.

[@Nighthawk1966]

Ok JD you got me on this one. Now I’m reading Guadalcanal Diary by Tregaskis and watching “The Pacific”, again ! Really enjoying this series buddy !

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That’s the spirit!

[@buzzml8123]

Thank you for including the newsreel of Basilone speaking-I’ve never seen footage of him before. Really enjoyed this episode

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@toneian]

Agreed, the clip about 2 minutes in is incredible footage. Puts the real face of Basilone up front instead of relying on the actor's portrayal in HBO's the Pacific

[@brycejensen6527]

Thank you for capturing the story on this special spot.

[@lindacarlson6887]

I enjoy your videos so much. It amazes me that you appear so “at home” where ever you go. I would be so intimidated. So for me, your videos show me places that interest me that I don’t have the guts to travel to. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you. It’s good to know that I still look comfortable & at home even when I’m about to have a heat stroke. 😅🥵

[@gizmopower3150]

Super stuff as always...greetings from 🇮🇪

[@stevenkertesz4625]

Excellent! Thank you gentlemen for the tour and history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Our pleasure!

[@paulietrunzo4382]

Thank you so much for sharing! Love what you do, keeping history alive. I have viewed most of your videos, learned lots. As always, can’t wait to see your next adventure! Bravo 👏 Paul from NY 🇺🇸

[@GoodLuckBP]

So many died here, life goes on. Thank you for this.

[@JarheadCrayonEater]

As a Marine that served in modern war, I still don't feel like I'm of the same caliber as those Marines. Thanks for showing us this amazing footage! USMC 1999-2007

[@michaelmclaren7373]

Fiorello LaGuardia. What a character. As a lifetime member of the National History Honors Society, thank you for everything you do in the service of History education.

[@williambaloney1847]

i get my coffee from his nephew Joe here in Chicago. amazing coffee from an amazing family

[@Cornflakes234]

2:34 Basilone is anxious and doesn't want to relive what he just went through.

[@madpackrips]

You could probably still sense the masculinity and bravery of that American HERO all these years later! Thanks for going there and doing these videos!

[@Justanotherwhiteguy4U]

I would love to go here one day. I hope I can make it happen at some point, thanks for the amazing video as always

[@riverisland111]

Really good tx to you and Dave

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@keithTCU]

Excellent video. Really a wonderful presentation. Thank you.

[@Sedici-Competizione]

It’s always sad to see any kind of change to a historic battle field, I would have never thought, out of all battlefields, that ones from the pacific theater would be endangered, yet here we are. Thank you JD for giving use a seldom seen view of such historic spots in history

[@davidmatney5033]

Thank you so much! So sad that hallowed ground will soon be a garden....

[@mocpehusrainey4961]

Happy to see you are finally giving some recognition to the military who fought and died in the other half of WWII. It's about time.

[@tylerhilsenbeck4598]

Thanks!

[@MrRugbylane]

Ive been to several WW1 battlefields around Ypres, Loos and the Somme. When an old battlefield has quite literally disappeared to accommodate a motorway cutting its very sad. At least here its just some trees cut

[@Rebel-Rouser]

Well done.

[@simonrichards6739]

That is a true soldier, could have lived out the rest of his days but wanted to go back. RIP to that hero!

[@christopherrandazzo1485]

John Basilone was a Marine - big difference.

[@keithrayeski6417]

⁠only that one was Army and the other, Marines. Only difference.

[@MrBradleyDavid]

It was no easy day for the 7th Marines. John Basilone was a standout. Thanks for the honest interpretation of what happened that day.

[@janf.vanachtern]

I was allowed to visit his grave in Arlington in 2019. It was very moving. His MOH is on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, south of Washington D.C. Best regards from Germany.

[@Stew-kv8nw]

I don’t know if my earlier comments were saved or not. So sorry for the spam. Excellent episode, crystal clear picture. The books don’t do the ridge justice but the video does. It dominates the land around it. Well done and thank you. Hopefully the ridge stays as is and isn’t built on

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Appreciate that!

[@JoshVento]

Hey Brother. Fyi one of the pictures you showed towards the end, was actually a picture of Medal of Honor recipient Mitchell Paige who also fought on Guadalcanal. You should do a story of him. Its a great one, and they made a G.I Joe figure after him.

[@jeffsmith2022]

Well done, Marine...God Bless all our Armed Forces, past and present...

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇺🇸

[@lucky_one2]

Thanks for visiting and discussing Guadalcanal. Kind of torn about "losing" battlefields...I'm sure that the souls whom fought there wouldn't care about preserving it as a "battlefield". Separately, we owe heroes like Basilone to remember their sacrifices and try to live lives worthy of them.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

May God bless his memory and may we never forget.

[@moose2687]

Thank You! I have really enjoyed the series.

[@mattc3169]

I find myself in complete awe of those brave men. God bless each and every one of them!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

They were a different breed.

[@mattc3169]

@ that they were!

[@KathleenAnglum]

Meant to say this before but the graphics and maps have been fantastic in helping me be able to understand the battles! Enjoy all your series and channel!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@gideoncampbell8335]

Walking in the footsteps of giants.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇺🇸

[@konaboss83]

That old boy that was kind of trying to interview Basilone needed a drink stat

[@eugenepage7248]

Already read "With the Old Breed". Just picked up "Helmet For My Pillow" today to read. Great content keep it up!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Great books. Thanks!

[@DV8-q6n]

I really hope you were able to bring back some souvenirs for the museum. Such history needs to be remembered and shared.

[@jammyscouser2583]

I love daves accent, American with some fair dinkum aussie pronounciations thrown in

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@jammyscouser2583 👍🏻

[@leehall8830]

A huge fan of the channel and although from the UK this pacific series amazes me as lots of these battlefields still show signs and relics from these unimaginable battles. For anyone watching i highly recommend you watch ‘Guadacanal Odyssey’ narrated by Leslie Nielsen ( yes from Airplane/naked gun). It was recorded in 1975 so only 3 decades after the war. Amazing to see how much it has changed in these last 50 years

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

After Nielson left Jacob Vouza's house, the old scout supposedly said, "Who was that man?'

[@leehall8830]

@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 Vouza looked an amazing man. Lived for another decade? Cheers for your expertise on this and your own channel 👌

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Been waiting for this one! This story is true American hero, John Basilone is a legend! He is a hero, who sought no special privileges from his MOH award! And he died with his beloved Marines.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇺🇸

[@robertwomack6015]

Very informative. Thank you so much

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@Myhandle699]

Really enjoyed the Pacific series about these guys fighting here. I was surprised to find out Robert Leckie is actually buried in my town.

[@neclark08]

...your choices in the ways you bring-up-, and mute-down the music which underlays your map-, troop-movement & archival inserts are Excellent- and Respectful of both your viewers, and the Memory of the Americans who fought on this ground...

[@michaelh6759]

I was on a work assignment in Honiara in 1992, the 50th anniversary of the campaign. I was privileged to be able to speak with hotel guests who were veterans of the campaign. They were decent and humble to a man. It was an unforgettable experience. My hotel was on the location of a successful Japanese ambush of young marines. As I remember, Bloody Ridge was also deforested, which tested my imagination about what the battle was like. Thank you for honouring their extraordinary courage.

[@johngaither9263]

The fact there are any remains, fox holes or barbed wire poles remaining is amazing in that jungle after 80 years. Unless someone can buy the land and make it into a memorial it's not our place to begrudge the locals trying to make a living as best they can on it.

[@chadkeller2144]

Outstanding series on Guadalcanal, JD! Thank you for all you do to document history and share it with the world!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks, glad you’re enjoying it.

[@Wreckdiver59]

It's a shame to be loosing such an notable part of the battlefield. Thankfully you were able to make this video to preserve it in some way.

[@SkyPilotXSX]

It’s not a shame at all. Just because you and I appreciate the freedom of knowledge and have a fascination with places of historical significance, it doesn’t mean it should remain preserved for us forever, denying the local culture the opportunity to use the land for something that benefits them. You’ve had over 80 years to visit this site - let the local community claim it for themselves, after all, it belongs to them. Just be thankful we have people like JD sharing this with us in the way he does.

[@Wreckdiver59]

@SkyPilotXSX you're absolutely right. Someone needs to get in touch with Garry Adleman at the American Battlefield Trust and tell him SkyPilotXSX says he's wasting his time. After all, people have had over 160 years to visit those Civil War sites. Don't even get me started on the American Revolution sites. There's some prime east coast real estate that would surely benefit the locals. Too bad if you haven't been born yet. You don't need to know anything about that history that you can't read in a book. There are plenty of battle sites in Europe that need to be leveled and built over too. We've all had plenty of time to see them, so let's take your advice and start getting rid of them.

[@shaggyofwv]

Agreed. It IS a shame to be losing another historical site, but it isn’t surprising that it will not be preserved. A lot of people do not care about history or the preservation of it.

[@dawnlefevre9172]

Absolutely fascinating! I got goosebumps to see the pigtails and it hits ya hard to think the marines were right there fighting for their lives!

[@Legendary_UA]

FIRST. here we go. Interesting to see how the site has changed since I was there 20 years ago. And yes as Dave said, it used to be a swampy trail off to the south of Edson's Ridge

[@JimmyRisica]

OUTSTANDING!! thank you JD, Basilone was this oldish Marines hero 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻BRAVO!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻🇺🇸

[@griffinghomeimprovements2951]

Thanks for making these videos

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@jimmywr32]

great video thank you

[@MrFrankturbo1]

A great NJ and Marine hero from not far where I live ! well known around here

[@dnldcow]

More and more the battle fields are changing from the war ,thank you JD for bring this before there gone.

[@Warrior2935]

Colonel Mitchell Paige, then Sgt., recieved the Medal of Honor, for actions on Guadalcanal in his Machine Gun Section, firing numerous machine guns, and later leading a bayonet charge. He also made the amphibious landing on Cape Gloucester. As a Marine these men are revered as gods.

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

In my opinion, Paige’s MOH actions were the most remarkable of any in the Campaign. I think JD might feature him, or at least discuss his actions.

[@Pioneerfan12]

Would love to see coverage of some of the POW camps if you ever make it on the Japanese mainland… so many great memoirs out there.

[@tonyde6423]

Platoon Sergeant John Basilone received the Congressional Medal of Honor at a parade in Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia in May 1943. there's a plaque marking the spot cheers

[@TxEagle]

Love the graphics

[@jameslencke9098]

Excellent video!

[@BMF6889]

I served 21 years in the Marine Corps as an infantry officer with 3 years in combat. As I recall the Guadalcanal history specifically Chesty Puller's battalion I believe the Marines had cleared the jungle in front of their defensive positions. The barbed wire would have been about 20 yards to their front and there were at least two rows of pig tails that the Japanese had to contend with. The idea is to put the wire out beyond grenade throwing range. While some can throw grenades further, in combat under fire to so much. I believe the mini-series Pacific accurately depicted how the Basilone position actually looked.

[@FacesoftheForgotten]

Outstanding presentation. Amazing to see the actual location, not quite like the movies. Thank you for that trip.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you. Appreciate that.

[@davidcranealabama]

Thanks for sharing this .. !!

[@jdhaase1417]

From one JD to another JD, “outstanding video!”

[@Chris-Nico]

Awesome! Thanks again JD and Dave Holland for this wonderful opportunity to visit where badass Basilone fought and led so bravely. As for the burned out areas…. Sad but then we the viewers would never experience the pigtails still there or the mortar fins… super cool. 💪🇺🇸

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@trentfram7323]

One of the greatest ww2 heroes of all times and probably one of the greatest men to have existed and someone everyone should aspire to be as great as this is a real role model not sports athletes or movies stars

[@Shawnroberts1980]

Great video JD. Thank you!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JohnLaRue-zp2uj]

Very well done and documented. Exceptional job on this folks...loved hearing the metal detector going off in the background. Now that's an adventurous history tale!

[@tyeeggleston6159]

ANOTHER great WWII video JD. To bad modernization doesn't care about history.. This man was truly hero, I'm gonna guess if he had survived the war he would have become a senator or congressman or even president. I just cant imagine having to defend and fight in that kind of jungle.

[@lappin6482]

Oh I've been waiting for this one!!! Thanks JD 🙏

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Hope you like it!

[@lappin6482]

​@@TheHistoryUndergroundsad to see what's happened to the site, but we can't be upset at the locals, as you said the world is always moving, great work JD as always 👌

[@mernarodway7301]

Excellent!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Many thanks!

[@douglascat774]

Thank you for sharing! God bless

[@PaulDouglasDouglas97]

Really good video 📸📸 can't wait for the next one 👌👌

[@dangercloseusmc6902]

He was the only WWII MOH recipient to go back to combat after receiving the MOH.

[@davidstephens5603]

Guys; these are amazing videos. I've never seen anything like this.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@jamesimpellizzeri996]

Visited his grave in Arlington national cemetery back in 2017 as a Marine veteran myself and being Italian American he was one of my heroes

[@historyinyourhand1787]

Great video JD. What an experience being there must have been!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Quite the experience.

[@RMWVA]

Holy crap, Mayor La Guardia was a dumb mug. LOL.

[@toddmalott3067]

Thanks!

[@Savage1Gaming]

Currently rewatching the Pacific serie again and this pops up on my yt recommendations, coincidence? I think not, thank you sir!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Good deal!

[@dannydetiege7530]

great work JD, pity to see these places disappear as time goes by... The work of Basilone and men like him cannot be appreciated enough. And your work, JD, helps keep their stories, or even these men, alive !