John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York. Both sides of his family emigrated from Benevento, Italy. He was the sixth of 10 children, and his family moved from New York to Raritan, New Jersey, while John was still a child. Once he turned 18, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his time in the Philippines where he earned the nickname "Manila John."

While in the Army he fought as a light heavyweight prizefighter and went undefeated. After three years of active duty John was honorably discharged, returned home to New Jersey, and began to work as a truck driver.

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