Thurman
07-12-07, 06:12 AM
Joe Basso, Decorated WW2 Marine Dies July 12, 2007
Joseph Basso, a World War II veteran who was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Navy Cross for rescuing
a wounded soldier from an attack, died Monday of kidney and liver complications. He was 85,
Family members described him as a devoted father with a youthful spirit who rarely missed one of his six sons' football games. "He was always a kid at heart," said son Steven Basso, 50, of Lake Ronkonkoma
From 1942 to 1945, Basso served as a Marine squad leader and demolition expert in four major campaigns in the Pacific theater, the son said. On July 24, 1944, Basso, then a private first class, was stationed at an outpost in Guam with a soldier when Japanese forces ambushed them. According to his Navy Cross citation, Basso was captured and taken to enemy territory. He escaped, then found his comrade and took him back to American lines, for which he earned the Navy Cross.
Basso also saw action in Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal and Papua New Guinea, receiving the Purple Hearts for injuries he suffered in battle. Family members said Basso was proud of his military service but hesitated to talk about wartime experiences until late in his life.
Joseph Guy Basso was born on June 9, 1922, in Manhattan and grew up in Williamsburg.
In 1946, one year after his return from the Pacific, Basso married Arline Hausler. The couple settled in Westbury in 1955, where they lived for 35 years.
Basso worked as an inspector and maintenance supervisor for Kollsman Co., a commercial and defense aircraft company based in Syosset, for more than two decades. In 1973, he took a job in Lake Success with Were Associates, a property management company. He worked there as a supervisor and manager until he retired in 1984.
In 1990, he and his wife moved to Vero Beach, Fla. They returned to Long Island in 2001 after Basso was diagnosed with colon cancer.
In addition to his wife, of Ronkonkoma, and son Steven, he is survived by sons Robert Basso, 60, of Patchogue; Thomas Basso, 57, of Seaford; Joseph Basso, 55, of Hicksville; Guy Basso, 52, of Carle Place; and Peter Basso, 48, of Hicksville; 12 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. today at Donohue Cecere Funeral Directors, 290 Post Ave. in Westbury. Burial will be in Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton.
Joseph Basso, a World War II veteran who was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Navy Cross for rescuing
a wounded soldier from an attack, died Monday of kidney and liver complications. He was 85,
Family members described him as a devoted father with a youthful spirit who rarely missed one of his six sons' football games. "He was always a kid at heart," said son Steven Basso, 50, of Lake Ronkonkoma
From 1942 to 1945, Basso served as a Marine squad leader and demolition expert in four major campaigns in the Pacific theater, the son said. On July 24, 1944, Basso, then a private first class, was stationed at an outpost in Guam with a soldier when Japanese forces ambushed them. According to his Navy Cross citation, Basso was captured and taken to enemy territory. He escaped, then found his comrade and took him back to American lines, for which he earned the Navy Cross.
Basso also saw action in Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal and Papua New Guinea, receiving the Purple Hearts for injuries he suffered in battle. Family members said Basso was proud of his military service but hesitated to talk about wartime experiences until late in his life.
Joseph Guy Basso was born on June 9, 1922, in Manhattan and grew up in Williamsburg.
In 1946, one year after his return from the Pacific, Basso married Arline Hausler. The couple settled in Westbury in 1955, where they lived for 35 years.
Basso worked as an inspector and maintenance supervisor for Kollsman Co., a commercial and defense aircraft company based in Syosset, for more than two decades. In 1973, he took a job in Lake Success with Were Associates, a property management company. He worked there as a supervisor and manager until he retired in 1984.
In 1990, he and his wife moved to Vero Beach, Fla. They returned to Long Island in 2001 after Basso was diagnosed with colon cancer.
In addition to his wife, of Ronkonkoma, and son Steven, he is survived by sons Robert Basso, 60, of Patchogue; Thomas Basso, 57, of Seaford; Joseph Basso, 55, of Hicksville; Guy Basso, 52, of Carle Place; and Peter Basso, 48, of Hicksville; 12 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. today at Donohue Cecere Funeral Directors, 290 Post Ave. in Westbury. Burial will be in Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton.