巴西隆於1916年11月4日誕生於紐約州水牛城的家中,在10個小孩間排行第六。父親薩瓦托雷·巴西隆(Salvatore Basilone)於1903年時從義大利的那不勒斯移民美國,定居於紐澤西州的拉瑞騰。母親朵拉·本西文加(Dora Bencivenga)則是1889年出生、在同州的曼維爾(英语:Manville, New Jersey)長大,但她父母也都是那不勒斯人。巴西隆的父母在一場教會活動中認識,並於3年後結婚。之後,水牛城出生的巴西隆在拉瑞騰度過童年,並就讀當地的聖伯納教區學校(St. Bernard Parochial School),當他在15歲從初中畢業後,還沒上高中就斷了學業[2]:p79-80。
掛上了榮譽勳章的巴西隆,在瓜島戰役的洗禮之後得以返美、參加為國募集戰時公債的活動。他的回國被大肆宣傳,鄉親們也替他在老家辦了盛大的凱旋遊行。這場在1943年9月19日(星期日)舉辦的慶祝會吸引了數千人共襄盛舉,當中包括了政界人士、名流和媒體記者,《生活雜誌》和福斯有聲電影新聞(英语:Movietone News)也將這場活動製作為全國性報導[9]。在家鄉參加遊行後的巴西隆開始在全美四處奔走、替戰事募款,並因此成了聲名大噪的戰爭英雄。雖然巴西隆很開心能受到大眾景仰,卻覺得比起待在後方,自己更適合馳聘沙場,因此向上級申請重返前線。海軍陸戰隊高層駁回所求,表示「國內戰線」比太平洋戰線更需要巴西隆的幫忙,給了他一筆佣金,而他予以婉拒。巴西隆的長官之後還提供了一個新兵指導教官的職位,但他一樣不表同意。巴西隆接著又再度請纓報國,這次才得到部隊批准,於是他在1943年12月27日前往加州的潘德頓營受訓,並在那遇到了未來的妻子——陸戰隊女子後備役(英语:United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve)中士雷娜·瑞吉(Lena Mae Riggi)[10]。巴西隆與瑞吉於1944年7月10日在加州歐申賽德的聖瑪麗海之星教堂(St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church)成婚、又至卡爾巴斯德酒店(Carlsbad Hotel)舉辦婚宴[11]。巴西隆與新婚妻子至岳父母開在波特蘭郊外的洋蔥農場度蜜月[12]之後,向部隊申請前往太平洋戰區參戰[12]。
巴西隆的遺體在硫磺島戰後運至阿靈頓國家公墓下葬,他的墓位於12區的384號墳,網格座標為Y/Z 23.5.[16]。巴西隆的遺孀雷娜在往後餘生中一直維持夫姓,1999年6月11日時以86歲高齡逝世,安葬於河濱國家公墓(Riverside National Cemetery)[17]。雷娜別著婚戒一起入土,碑上刻的墓誌銘寫著「她從未再婚」(she never remarried)[18]。
加州的潘德頓營海軍陸戰隊基地以巴西隆來命名營區內的數項設施,例如5號州際公路行經基地西側的路段,即冠上「槍砲士官約翰·巴西隆紀念公路」(Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Highway)的別稱。連接該高速公路和基地西北部的一條道路也命名作「巴西隆路」[22]。同樣在潘德頓營內,還有一座「巴西隆傘降區(英语:Drop zone)」(Basilone Drop Zone),作為空投訓練場地[23]。
在巴西隆的老家拉瑞騰境內,於舊約克路(Old York Road)和運河街(Canal Street)交叉口設置了一座巴西隆雕像,雕像的手中扛著白朗寧機槍,雕刻師正是巴西隆的幼時好友菲力普·奧蘭多(Phillip Orlando)。華盛頓特區的美國海軍紀念廣場(英语:United States Navy Memorial)也為巴西隆立匾[26]。在聖地牙哥小義大利區內的松樹街(Fir Street)和印度街(India Streets)街口同樣設有巴西隆的半身雕像,而當地為了紀念加入美軍、參與二戰和韓戰的義大利裔居民所建的廣場,也取名作巴西隆廣場(Piazza Basilone)[27]。在美義大利之子組織(Order Sons of Italy In America)設在紐約長島波希米亞(英语:Bohemia, New York)的2442號支社以巴西隆命名[28]。拉瑞騰公共圖書館(Raritan Public Library)設有「巴西隆室」(Basilone Room),展示並收藏他的相關紀念品[2]:p84。
^原文如下: The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
SERGEANT
JOHN BASILONE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
^原文如下: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to
GUNNERY SERGEANT
JOHN BASILONE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Leader of a Machine-Gun Section, Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. Consistently daring and aggressive as he fought his way over the battle-torn beach and up the sloping, gun-studded terraces toward Airfield Number 1, he repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of exploding shells and later in the day coolly proceeded to the aid of a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages, skillfully guiding the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite the overwhelming volume of hostile fire. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. Stouthearted and indomitable, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone, by his intrepid initiative, outstanding skill, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of the fanatic opposition, contributed materially to the advance of his company during the early critical period of the assault, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the bitter conflict was an inspiration to his comrades and reflects the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant Basilone and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
^McCaulay, Philip Martin. John Basilone: World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for Action in the Pacific. Lulu.com. 2010. ISBN 978-0-557-34574-8.使用|accessdate=需要含有|url= (帮助)