The World War II hero earned the Congressional Media of Honor, the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart for his bravery.
RARITAN -- The borough's favorite son, John Basilone, was honored Sunday during the 35th Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade.
Basilone, whose iconic statue sits on Somerset Street, is the pride of this tiny borough, which is considered one of the most patriotic small towns in the country because of its devotion to Basilone.
Last month, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that a destroyer is being named for "Manila John" Basilone, the second ship named for him. The first ship, the USS Basilone, was decommissioned in 1977. The new 509-foot destroyer is expected to enter the Navy fleet in 2022.
Retired Lt. General Richard C. Zilmer, who is Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs at Quantico, Va, was be the guest speaker.
The Grand Marshall was World War II Air Force bombardier/gunner John Sturges, 98, a Flemington native who now lives in Somerset with his wife of 61 years, Bella.
During the war, Sturges was assigned to the Ninth Air Force -322nd Bombardment Group and flew 65 missions., including one of D-Day, June 6, 1944 in which his unit bombed the German's coastal defensive positions.
The parade route along Somerset Street was lined by banners hanging from streetlights honoring borough residents who died in World War II.
Basilone, whose story was memorialized by HBO's 2010 television mini-series "The Pacific," became a national hero during World War II by leading more than a dozen gunners against thousands of Japanese soldiers at Guadalcanal in 1942.
Basilone was the first enlisted Marine in World War II to be award the Congressional Medal of Honor. He then returned to combat in 1945 and was killed in action on Feb. 19 at Iwo Jima at the age of 28. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, who was born in Buffalo, N.Y. but raised in Raritan, was also awarded the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart for his heroism in World War II.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.