John Basilone was born in Buffalo, New York, on November 4,1916. Educated in Raritan, New Jersey, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1936, serving for more than two years in the Philippines before leaving that service in 1939. In July of the following year he joined the Marine Corps. During 1940–1942, while rising in rank to Corporal and Sergeant, he served at posts in the eastern U.S. and at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In September 1942, Sgt. Basilone landed on the southern Pacific island of Guadalcanal to participate in the ongoing campaign to hold the airfield there against Japanese attempts to recapture it. On the night of October 24, 1942, during a vigorous enemy assault on the Marines' defensive perimeter, he was responsible for a section of machine guns. His "extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry" in keeping his guns in action in the face of heavy attacks contributed greatly to the failure of the Japanese offensive and was recognized by the award of the Medal of Honor.

Following his service on Guadalcanal, Basilone was assigned to U.S. Marine units in California and at the Washington Navy Yard, D.C.. Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was killed in action during the February 1945 invasion of Iwo Jima. For his bravery in this battle, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

The destroyer USS Basilone (DD-824, later DDE-824 and DD-824), 1949-1982, was named in honor of Gunnery Sergeant Basilone, and our Nation continues to honor his legacy by naming the future USS John Basilone (DDG 122) after him.

Commissioning, or formally accepting into active service, a U.S. warship is a tradition that has been in practice since the commissioning of a captured British schooner, the Margaretta, in 1775. It is widely considered to be the most significant event in the life of a ship. Commissioning ceremonies are memorable events for the Navy as well as the communities that host them.

Today, the ceremonies typically include speeches from flag officers, civic and corporate leaders, and other distinguished guests. Following the speeches, the ship's prospective commanding officer orders the prospective executive officer to hoist the colors and commissioning pennant. At the moment the commissioning pennant is broken at the masthead, the ship becomes a U.S. Navy command in her own right, and a member of the Fleet. After the pennant is hoisted, the prospective commanding officer reads the orders appointing him to command. The now commanding officer orders the executive officer to set the watch. The final and most iconic part of the ceremony occurs when the ship's sponsor gives the order, "Man our ship and bring her to life!" Crew members man the rails, side by side, as the ship's systems come online in an impressive display of military and maritime power.

Prospective Commissioning Unit John Basilone is a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. The 72nd ship in the class, PCU John Basilone was built at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and launched on June 12, 2022.

Displacement: 9,217 tons (full load)

Length: 513 ft (156 m)

Beam: 66 ft (20 m)

Propulsion: 4 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines 100,000 shp (75,000 kW)

Speed: 31 knots (57 km/h; 36 mph)

Complement: 380 officers and enlisted

Aviation facilities: Double hangar and helipad