Part Eight (The Pacific)

In Pavuvu, The 1st Marine Division recovers after the events at Peleliu. Sledge becomes upset when he sees Mac throwing away several of Haldane's belongings, and fishes a book out of the trash that he decides to keep. Shortly afterwards, De L'Eau tells Sledge and Snafu that he was transferred to a new division, fearing their role in a more dangerous military tactic.

In New York City, Basilone continues selling war bonds by participating in many campaigns, such as on NBC Radio Network with two of his brothers. Later, he returns to Raritan and reunites with his family, but he is unhappy with his new life. He talks with Lieutenant General Alexander Vandegrift to express his dissatisfaction. Vandegrift suggests reducing his service, but Basilone clarifies that he wants to be more involved with the Marines again and, as a compromise to not being able to serve on the front lines, asks to become an instructor instead, which Vandegrift accepts.

Basilone is subsequently transferred to the newly-formed Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, but discovers that most of the recruits have not yet been assigned to the camp and for a while is put in charge of just two teenagers, Chuck Tatum and Clifford "Steve" Evanson, the former of whom recognizes Basilone. As more subordinates join over time, Basilone becomes smitten with a Marines nurse, whose friend invites him to a social event. There, he learns that her name is Sergeant Lena Riggi and takes an interest in her. He invites her to dine with him, but she is initially not interested in a new relationship. Eventually though, the two begin to bond over their shared love of the Marines, and eventually become lovers.

As time passes, Basilone continues his duties while growing closer to Riggi. While his service is over, Basilone decides to re-enlist to continue fighting in the Pacific. Riggi is disappointed, but understands his decision. Before he leaves, they decide to get married and enjoy their honeymoon. After making love, Riggi gives Basilone her necklace for him to wear while he is on service.

On February 19, 1945, Basilone and his soldiers land at Iwo Jima. Despite Basilone's leadership, the unit faces severe losses on the first day. The unit makes its way through the battlefield despite heavy gunfire. As Basilone tries to lead his men back to the beach, he is killed by a sniper, shocking Tatum and Evanson. In America, Riggi visits the beach she and Basilone frequented, crying over her husband's death.

The episode was written by co-producers Robert Schenkkan and Michelle Ashford, and directed by David Nutter and Jeremy Podeswa. This was Schenkkan's third writing credit, Ashford's second writing credit, Nutter's second directing credit, and Podeswa's second directing credit.^[1]

In addition to historical, military, and interview sources about Basilone, Tatum's memoir Red Blood, Black Sand was used as a basis for the episode.

The scene of Basilone first encountering Riggi at the mess hall is invented for the episode; in reality, they first met at the hotel bar.

There are conflicting accounts about the circumstances of Basilone's death. Initial military reports say that Basilone almost single-handedly fought the pillbox on Iwo Jima, and was killed by shrapnel. However, Red Blood, Black Sand details him fighting alongside Tatum and the rest of his squad, and was killed by enemy rifle fire, something that was later corroborated by Hugh Ambrose in his book The Pacific; their accounts were utilized for the series.

Later on the same day as Basilone's death, Tatum would rescue Evanson, which earned him a Bronze Star Medal with a Combat "V", only for Evanson to still be killed the very next day. Tatum would later be injured and evacuated from Iwo Jima, not serving in the war afterwards. These events are not depicted in the show, but are alluded to in the closing titles of the series finale.