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'sThe Pacific, the successful sequel to the popular mini-seriesBand 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 Pacificwill appeal to anyone with an interest in World War II and military history as well as fans of HBO'sThe Pacific.