In 2026, We the Italians celebrates “Two Anniversaries, One Heart” – the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic. This article is part of the “Happy Birthday USA: Italy’s Role in America’s Greatness” project, in which we tell the stories of 18 well-known figures of Italian heritage who helped make the United States great.

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A hero for America, a source of pride for Italian Americans

As Host Nation Community Relations Specialist for U.S. Army Garrison Italy, I often reflect on the individuals who embody the deep bond between the United States and Italy. Among them, John Basilone holds a unique place.

Born in 1917 in Buffalo, New York, to Italian immigrant parents, Basilone earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands on October 24–25, 1942. During the battle, he kept machine-gun positions operational, repaired weapons under enemy fire, and carried ammunition through hostile lines. At Iwo Jima in February 1945, he destroyed an enemy bunker, assisted a disabled tank trapped in a minefield, led the assault forward, and was ultimately killed in action. His sacrifice was recognized posthumously with the Navy Cross in 1948.

John Basilone became one of the greatest military heroes in American history and a powerful symbol for the Italian American community during one of the most difficult periods it ever faced. The son of Salvatore Basilone, who emigrated from Colle Sannita in the province of Benevento, and Dora Pagliaroli, whose family came from Abruzzo, he was raised with values deeply rooted in Italian culture: family, hard work, faith, and a strong sense of duty. Those principles guided him throughout his life and found their highest expression on the battlefield.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, hundreds of thousands of Italians living in the United States suddenly found themselves under suspicion. Many were classified as “enemy aliens,” subjected to travel restrictions, government monitoring, and discrimination. Although Italian Americans were already deeply integrated into American society, the war against Fascist Italy generated fear and prejudice that affected entire communities.

In that environment, Basilone’s example carried enormous significance. His actions demonstrated beyond question that Americans of Italian descent were willing to sacrifice their lives for the United States just as readily as any other citizens. His story helped transform public perceptions of Italian Americans, providing a powerful symbol of loyalty, patriotism, and courage.

After Guadalcanal, Basilone became a national celebrity. The U.S. government brought him home to participate in War Bond drives, where he spoke before thousands of Americans and helped raise millions of dollars to support the war effort. Despite the recognition and opportunities that accompanied his fame, he declined assignments far from combat. He believed his place was alongside the Marines fighting in the Pacific and insisted on returning to the front lines.

In addition to the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, Basilone received numerous other decorations, including the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He remains the only enlisted Marine of World War II to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross for actions in separate battles.

His legacy endures today. Schools, streets, parks, and monuments across the United States bear his name. For Italian Americans, Basilone represents far more than a military hero. He symbolizes the vital contribution made by the Italian American community to the building and defense of the United States. His courage helped erase stereotypes and suspicions, creating a story of pride and redemption that continues to inspire new generations of both Americans and Italian Americans.

Basilone’s story is not simply a chapter of military heroism. It is a moral and cultural bridge that continues to connect our two nations, including here in Vicenza, where American service members and Italian citizens share spaces, values, and responsibilities every day.

Vicenza is home to the largest concentration of U.S. Army personnel in Italy. The city was liberated by American forces on April 28, 1945, after years of occupation and hardship. That moment marked not only the end of a painful chapter but also the beginning of a relationship built on gratitude, trust, and a sense of closeness that extended far beyond a military presence. The people of Vicenza saw American soldiers not only as liberators, but as young men who had crossed an ocean to restore freedom and dignity to a land that was not their own.

Ten years later, in 1955, American troops returned to Vicenza not as a temporary force, but as a permanent presence committed to collective security and cooperation with the local community. For more than seventy years, the American presence has been an integral part of the social fabric of Vicenza, enduring through decades of political and cultural change while remaining grounded in mutual respect and partnership. It is a relationship renewed every day through the collaborative work of the local community, U.S. Army Garrison Italy, SETAF-Africa, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the “Sky Soldiers.”

Within this context, Basilone’s legacy becomes especially meaningful. His courage at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, his humility in rejecting privilege, and his determination to return to combat and stand beside his fellow Marines continue to resonate with American service members stationed in Vicenza today. Many of them, serving far from home and carrying out demanding missions in support of SETAF-AF or the 173rd Airborne Brigade, see in Basilone a model of integrity and selfless leadership.

His story reminds us that military service is not simply a profession. It is a moral commitment to one’s team, one’s community, and the values one has sworn to defend. Basilone’s life demonstrates that greatness is not defined by rank, but by the choices made in moments of adversity. It is a message that continues to inspire today’s Soldiers and Marines, once again bringing together two nations and two peoples through a shared story of service, sacrifice, and freedom.