In the annals of American military history, few narratives shine as vividly as that of Sergeant John Basilone, a man whose life, service, and sacrifice still resonate powerfully today. Born to Salvatore and Dora Basilone in 1916 in Buffalo, New York, John was one of ten children in an Italian American family. His parents had emigrated from Naples, carrying with them hope for the future, but also a rich cultural tradition that shaped young John’s upbringing. Eventually, the family moved to Raritan, New Jersey and it was there that Basilone’s sense of honor and work ethic flourished.
Before he etched his name in Marine Corps lore, Basilone spent time in the US Army and served abroad in the Philippines. It was there that he earned the nickname “Manila John”, a testament to his fondness for the region and cultural immersion. However, it was in the United States Marine Corps that his calling crystallized. Basilone was initially stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but following the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the United States entrance into World War II, he deployed to the Pacific Campaign as a member of the 1st Battalion 7th Marines. Stationed on Guadalcanal in October 1942, Basilone and his beleaguered Marines faced relentless assaults from Japanese forces while defending an airfield. His defining moment came during this brutal campaign when his unit’s machine gun positions were critical in holding a defensive line, with only two other men other than Basilone surviving. Despite exhausting conditions, dwindling ammunition, and constant adversary fire, Basilone refused to yield. He scrambled between gun emplacements under fire and repaired jammed weapons under the most perilous conditions, at one point single-handedly fighting his way 150 yards through Japanese lines to obtain more ammunition and stay in the fight. For these fearless actions, he received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for valor.
Basilone’s combat legacy could have ended there, but after completing a tour back in the United States where he promoted the purchase of war bonds by the American public, he insisted on returning to the front lines rather than remain safe at home. This decision spoke volumes about the values he held – loyalty, duty, and genuine desire to stand side by side with Marines. During the battle for Iwo Jima in 1945, Basilone once against demonstrated tenacious courage, this time maneuvering his machine gun unit across the mortar-pocked beaches to crack entrenched Japanese defenses. As his unit came under fire from fortified blockhouses, Basilone positioned himself onto the top of one of the blockhouses before destroying it with grenades and demolitions. He then fought his way to assist a disabled American tank under mortar and artillery fire, guiding the tank to safety. Tragically, he was killed in action that same day. Posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, he cemented his place among the pantheon of American military heroes.
Basilone’s Italian American roots add a unique dimension to his story. At a time in American history when many immigrants struggled to establish themselves and prove their loyalty to a county slow to welcome them, Basilone’s valor stood as a beach of both patriotism and national pride. His achievement in combat continue to inspire, particularly in the Italian American community, which honors him as one of their own – a figure who rose above hardship to serve the nation with uncommon valor. Organizations like UNICO, dedicated to championing Italian American heritage, maintain that memory through scholarships and civic events like the Festa Italiana. I was deeply honored to be chosen as a recipient of a UNICO scholarship bearing Basilone’s name. Receiving that scholarship felt like inheriting a small piece of John’s unbreakable spirit – one that pushes all Italian Americans to strive for excellence, put service above self, and give back to the communities that shaped us.
Why do we care about Sergeant John Basilone today? First, his life offers enduring lessons in bravery, selflessness, and devotion to the country and ethnic community. In a world divided by backgrounds and personal interests, Basilone’s story transcends differences. His journey from a tight-knit Italian American household to the battlefields of World War II show a heroic character forged by heritage and immortalized by sacrifice. By remembering Basilone, we honor not just a storied Marine, but also the hope that unity and courage can guide us through adversity.
Author Bio
A native of Kansas City, Joseph Viviano, the son of Festa entertainment director Jerry Viviano, has spent 10 years in the US Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer between the active and reserve components. He currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he is an MBA student at Harvard Business School. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time in Boston’s North End Italian neighborhood.