The Pacific: How Much Of John Basilone's Story Really Happened

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HBO's dazzling miniseries The Pacific takes its narrative cues from real events, but how much of John Basilone's story really happened? First premiered on March 14, 2010, The Pacific acts as a rousing companion piece to HBO's Band of Brothers, instead focussing on the United States Marine Corps's actions in the Pacific Theater of Operations within the wider Pacific War of World War II. Understandably, much of The Pacific's story, therefore, harks back to real people, places, and events, including the incredible true story of Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone.

Basilone's is one of three narratives that form the backbone of The Pacific's action, drama, and intrigue alongside Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale) and Eugene Sledge (Joseph Mazzello). While Sledge and Leckie both struggle to adapt to their respective baptisms of fire in The Pacific's theatre of war, John Basilone's (Jon Seda) heroism lights up the miniseries' early episodes in stark contrast to his compatriots. These three Marine stories inexorably become intertwined over the course of The Pacific's 10-episode run, with the trio's tales converging in the 5th Marine division.

Related: What The Pacific's Actors Have Done Since The Miniseries Ended

Although Jon Ceda's Basilone appears as a bastion of virtue and, in many ways, the ideal of American resolve and fortitude during World War II, his portrayal of the famed Gunnery Sergeant is right on the money. From fending off swathes of Japanese soldiers with just a machete at the battle for Guadalcanal to charging on foot with the Marine tank divisions at Iwo Jima, Basilone's tale is a highly stirring one. Here's how much of The Pacific's John Basilone story really happened, as well as more detail on the true events that