Leading with Character: A Portrait of Selfless Service
A couple of weeks ago I joined two friends for a short getaway at a campground near Bath, Maine. In addition to enjoying the gorgeous fall scenery, we trekked over to visit Bath Iron Works, which is building new Arleigh Burke class destroyers for the US Navy. After looking around the museum, we boarded a tour boat for a guided cruise of the shipyard, located on the scenic Kennebec River.
All of us passengers were fascinated to get a close-up look at those awesome new warships. I was particularly interested to learn that the vessels are named for enlisted Navy and Marine Corps heroes. The tour guide gave us a short summary of each of the half-dozen or so ships in various stages of construction and the men for whom they’re named. What poignant examples of selfless service!
Veteran’s Day Spotlight
As we approach Veterans Day, it’s my privilege to spotlight one of those heroes. The USS John Basilone (DDG 122), is named for a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in combat at Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, in October 1942. I was drawn to Sergeant Basilone’s story because my Service, the US Coast Guard, claims just one Medal of Honor recipient: Signalman First Class Douglass Munro. Munro, who coxswained a landing craft, was awarded the Medal of Honor for giving his life while covering Marines evacuating from Guadalcanal under intense enemy fire. Thus, the Coast Guard and the Marines share a special bond.
During that fateful battle at Guadalcanal, Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Basilone oversaw two sections of heavy machine guns. He fought valiantly against the enemy assault, gallantly holding the line against a numerically superior enemy force by repairing and moving guns into position as sections were put out of action. When ammunition ran critically low, he fought through hostile lines to provide much-needed shells to his remaining gunners. When his own machine gun ran out of ammunition, he resorted to fighting with his pistol, and finally with a machete. Sergeant Basilone’s personal valor and courageous initiative resulted in annihilation of an enemy regiment against all odds.
A Humble Hero
Upon returning home, Sergeant Basilone was welcomed as a hero. His hometown held a parade in his honor featured in Life magazine. Yet Sergeant Basilone requested to return to the front, stating he was “just a plain soldier.” His request was granted, and he was assigned to a Marine Corps force for the invasion of Iwo Jima. On February 19, 1945, Sergeant Basilone was killed in action leading an assault off the beaches of Iwo Jima. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, becoming the only enlisted Marine in World War II to be honored with both the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor.
Sergeant Basilone demonstrated courage, devotion to duty, and humility, three traits that combined to make him a leader of character and role model for us all.
Look in the mirror: How can you lead with courage, devotion, and humility in your workplace?
Please join me again next week for more on Leading with Character.
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