San Diego’s USS Midway was in the spotlight Feb. 25 when HBO premiered part one of its new 10-part mini-series at the museum. “The Pacific,” created by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, follows three Marines as they navigate the brutal challenges of active combat during World War II. One of the featured Marines, John Basilone, was briefly stationed at Camp Pendleton before being deployed to fight in the Pacific theater. He died in combat at Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945. In 2002, the Little Italy Association named Piazza Basilone for the fallen soldier. HBO chose San Diego as the location for the premier after working with District 1 County Supervisor Gary Cox and San Diego Film Commissioner Cathy Anderson.