Hero of the Pacific - by James Brady

About the Book

"Can a single night define a man's life? From the summer of 1943 to early 1945, John Basilone was one of the most famous and admired people in America. As the first enlisted man to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II, for extraordinary bravery under fire at Guadalcanal, he toured the nation with movie stars, shared podiums with mayors and governors, shook the hands of thousands of citizens, and was even rumored to have made a romantic connection with a beautiful young actress. Why would a man who had proven his courage beyond any doubt, who had gone above and beyond the call of duty, and was reaping the rewards of his sacrifice beg his commanding officers to break with tradition and send a Medal of Honor winner back into combat? Legendary columnist James Brady explores this and many other puzzling questions in this thrilling and surprising biography. Hero of the Pacific tells the dramatic and compelling life story of a small-town boy who became one of World War II's greatest and best-known heroes, only to be forgotten after his death during another famous and hellish battle on Iwo Jima. You may never have heard of John Basilone, but once you read this powerful tale, you'll never forget him"--Publisher's description.

Book Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author James Brady-the story of Marine legend John Basilone, one of three main characters in HBO's The Pacific

Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was a Marine legend who received the Medal of Honor for holding off 3,000 Japanese on Guadalcanal and the Navy Cross posthumously for his bravery on Iwo Jima. This is the story of how a young man from Raritan, New Jersey, became one of America's biggest World War II heroes.

• Profiles one of three main characters in HBO's The Pacific, the successful sequel to the popular mini-series Band of Brothers
• ""A carefully reported, briskly written book . . . that could go a long way toward correcting . . . historical oversight."" -The Los Angeles Times
• Sorts through the differing accounts of Basilone's life and exploits, including what he did on Iwo Jima and how he died
• The final book by James Brady, the Korean War veteran and well-known columnist and author of books that include Why Marines Fight and an autobiography, The Coldest War, a Pulitzer Prize finalist

An incredible story masterfully told, Hero of the Pacific will appeal to anyone with an interest in World War II and military history as well as fans of HBO's The Pacific.

From the Back Cover

Can a single night define a man's life?

From the summer of 1943 to early 1945, John Basilone was one of the most famous and admired people in America. As the first enlisted man to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II, for extraordinary braveryunder fire at Guadalcanal, he toured the nation with movie stars, shared podiums with mayors and governors, shook the hands of thousands of citizens, and was even rumored to have made a romantic connection with a beautiful young actress.

Why would a man who had proven his courage beyond any doubt, had gone above and beyond the call of duty, and was reaping the rewards of his sacrifice beg his commanding officers to break with tradition and send a Medal of Honor winner back into combat? Legendary columnist James Brady explores this and many other puzzling questions in this thrilling and surprising biography.

"Hero of the Pacific" tells the dramatic, compelling, and all-but-forgotten life story of a small-town boy who became one of World War II's greatest and best-known heroes, only to be forgotten after his death during another famous and hellish battle on Iwo Jima. You may never have heard of John Basilone, but once you read this powerful tale, you'll never forget him.

John Basilone is one of three soldiers at the center of HBO's ten-part series The Pacific, the sequel to Band of Brothers.

Review Quotes

* ""Now comes a carefully reported, briskly written book by James Brady, Hero of the Pacific: The Life of Marine Legend John Basilone, that could go a long way toward correcting that historical oversight."" (The Los Angeles Times, February 10, 2010)

About the Author

The late James Brady commanded a Marine rifle platoon during the Korean War and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor. For more than two decades, he wrote the "In Step With" column for Parade. He also wrote a column for "Forbes.com." He authored eighteen books, among them several on the Marines, including the nonfiction "Why Marines Fight" and the "New York Times" bestselling novel "The Marines of Autumn."