Tatum recalls meeting Sgt John Basilone at Camp Pendleton:
"We had heard about him in Boot Camp! This was like meeting a movie star, or President of the United States! I noticed my knees were trembling from excitement. My bunk mate revealed later he had experienced the same feelings similar to mine... Al living legend was going to be in our company... I wondered to myself, 'How do you talk to a legend?'... I reached the conclusion if you are seventeen and in awe of heroes like Sergeant Basilone, you wait until they spoke to you."

Tatum also recalls the "Basilone Bail", a simple device that allowed a 30 caliber machine gun to carry the weapon without touching the hot barrel, or fire from the hip without the tripod.

Tatum fought alongside Basilone on Iwo Jima and the famous Sergeant even borrowed Tatum's 30 caliber machine gun and gave him direction and orders while he assaulted a block house and advanced toward Motoyama No. 1 Airfield.

Tatum observed Basilone's death and wrote:
"Gunny Basilone was coming back with more men! I hear Jap rounds impact on the men 75 yards away from the 'safety' of our shell hole. I watched in horror as the explosion tore the troops apart... It looked like Sergeant Basilone was down. Nobody was moving... 'We will all miss you,' I mused, tears stinging my grime-covered face. 'I'll miss the cocky smile, shining, curly black hair, piss-cutter [cap] set at a jaunty angle over one large ear... For me at least no none could ever be like him."

This book is a detailed account of an enlisted man machine gunner, in one of the Marines most intense battles. Full of personal reflections and observations, this book is highly recommended reading. Tatum was featured as a character in The Pacific episode 8, and much of the story was drawn from this book.

Last Updated
September 21, 2023