Peleliu (LHA 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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AFTER soo YEARS or s1LENcE On June 19th, USS Peleliu CLHA-59 arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines to begin conducting evacuation procedures in support of Operation Fiery Vigil. Due to eruptions of Mount Pinatubo and heavy rains and high winds from Typhoon Yunya, USS Peleliu postponed its scheduled liberty stop in Hong Kong to assist in the transporting of American Air Force and Navy dependents from Clark Air Force Base and Subic Bay Naval Station to the Philippine Island of Cebu, where they could be safely airlifted to locations within the United States. Upon arrival at the Naval Station, it was evident that the mission at hand would be immense. ln pouring rain, Peleliu Officers, Sailors and Marines began embarking the first of 2,526 evacuees. At times more than twenty busses wait- ed in line on the pier. The continuous heavy rain made the onload much more difficult. In addition to the eva- cuees, Peleliu sailors and marines took on over 100,000 pounds of luggage and the ship became a temporary home for C58 dogs, 25 cats and 2 birds. A kennel was established in the ships Well Deck where the animals were cared for by various crew members. Most of the embarked evacuees were women and children. Children ages eight months to 14 years spent many hours coloring, drawing pictures and watching television in the E-6 mess. Sailors and Marines, both Officer and enlisted, gave up their beithing areas and Staterooms to allow evacuees to rest on a soft mattress and have access to hot showers. The guests were also provided with much needed meals. T he m6SS lines were opened around the clock as Peleliu mess specialists served over 15,000 meals during the two-day transit to Cebu. Many embarked Marines stayed behind in Subic Bay to help with clean-up operations and Df0Vlde needed sewn' ty at different locations around the base. iii F14 P-I4 FIERY VIGIL 97

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-in 1 Y-, ,vw ,Navi ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,-,.,,,,,.,,.,....,,,,,,,,,, ,hh,.........,.-t......1,i..,....,.,.,,,..- -v--f...w-1-...,-....---f-----------.-,-w- -W--W f---------f-- f -V - ' ---.,..7..-..,.. --........--...Q,, P.- ..v,- ,,. ,- , 29 JU E 199 When USS Peleliu arrived at Subic Bay Naval Sta- tion it was dark, hot and windy. A very heavy rain was falling and a grey colored powder covered eve thin in si ht. It was evident from feeling inside ered with W Q Q over the base that many during the stomas that Mount Pinatubo on ' Just two of many buses that delivered evacuees to USS Peleliu . . .x . 72 V' - V t.,Uj, . hai' 9 ,. '-rxgflzjg d 1 tv , V gi' ' , 1 Wa! l , ' , 4,..-- 1 35,5-. H v, .. n L,. ,.,. ' 98 FIERY VIGIL at . I-1vf+4sf'. 1 . sr q 'swf-, .vi .Aff ur 471' J' y vt 'J W ET2 Bruce GRITTON submitted all three of the photos above. DS5 Erik MONTVILLE submitted the picture of the busses at left. DS5 Esmeraldo BUENVIAJE gave us the bottom left and right photos and MACCSWD W. CROXTON captured on film our first glimpses of Cubi Point, bottom center.