When two tailors left Naples, Italy, to immigrate to the United States at the turn of the century, little did they know that one of their grandchildren would become one of the most decorated noncommissioned officers in U.S. Marine Corps history.

Sixty-five years after his death, that soldier's impact remains, reaching throughout the Marines and into Butler County to the Basilone family, who at one time owned seven dry cleaning and tuxedo businesses here.

Sgt. John Basilone was the first enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroism in October 1942 at Guadalcanal, where he wiped out a regiment of nearly 3,000 Japanese soldiers.

Basilone was already an Army veteran the first time he joined the Marines. A national hero after his Guadalcanal service, he was inspired to return to active duty a third time, rejoining the Marines as a newly promoted gunnery sergeant after he'd raised more than $1,000,000 for war bonds.

Again, on February 19, 1945, he fought valiantly on Iwo Jima, leading his unit to capture a strategic air field. That same day, he died in combat when an artillery shell exploded. He was awarded the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart posthumously and has become a legend of the corps, a “Marine's Marine.”

“You never know what's inside of you until you're put to the test,” said Jim Basilone of Mars, who is John Basilone's third cousin.

The Basilones are embracing their cousin's history after several events and a television miniseries peaked their interest.

Jim Basilone knew of his cousin's life, but he learned the breadth of John's reputation in 2003, when he worked for Foster Wheeler, a global engineering firm based in Sayerville, N.J.

There, his staff presented him with a notebook full of information about his cousin's heroism and the honors he had received.

“It was quite a touching moment for me,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., Ron Basilone a Zelienople nephew who had researched his uncle's life learned more about him from a car dealer who took him to Annapolis, Md., to see a Naval memorial to John.

But it was “The Pacific,” an award-winning HBO broadcast about their cousin's wartime experiences, that really inspired them.

“The Pacific” is a 10-part, multiple Emmy Award-winning miniseries that focuses on three Marines in the World War II Pacific theater of operations, including John Basilone.

The movie compelled Jim and his nephews Ron, Scott and Giovanni, all of Zelienople, to attend an annual parade held in John Basilone's honor, traveling with Chad Aiken and Joseph O'Reilley, family friends. The parade is held in Raritan, N.J., John Basilone's hometown, on the last Sunday of every September.

“I'd been wanting to go,” said Ron, whose son Giovanni is named after John.

Over the Sep. 24 to 26, 2010, weekend, the Basilones met relatives for the first time since their immigrant forebears went their separate ways, including Donald, John's only living sibling.

They were treated to golf at a local country club, attended a private concert by the Quantico Marine Band, attended a Mass in John's honor and watched a battle re-enactment that featured their cousin's feats.

Jim, Ron, Scott, Giovanni, Chad and Joseph stood by the reviewing stand for the 2Z\x-hours parade honoring their relative.

The parade included 20 bands, led by the Quantico Marine Band, from Raritan's railroad station to the Basilone statue, where Marine Maj. Gen. Steven Hummer spoke to the crowd. More than 100 other groups marched too.

“It was a very humbling experience for me,” Jim said.

“I had generals saluting me. It was one of the most humbling moments of my life,” Ron said.

“We're very proud of our family and our history,” Jim said.

John Basilone is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

In addition to numerous memorials and the miniseries, Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone has been remembered these ways:• A Navy Destroyer, the U.S.S. Basilone, was commissioned in 1949, served through October 1977 and sunk on April 9, 1982. The Basilone earned three battle stars for her service in the Vietnam conflict.• The family joined the campaign to have their cousin’s likeness placed on a U.S. Postal Service stamp, issued on Nov. 10, 2005.• Fourteen states have declared February 19 John Basilone Day.• The Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone Award for Courage and Commitment is presented by the Marine Corps League on Basilone Day in Manassas, Va.• Niece Diane Hawkins, of Hilton Head, S.C., produced a documentary about her uncle’s life. “I’m Staying With My Boys” premiered at the Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park, N.J., in March, and was awarded the Home Grown Documentary Short award.