Peleliu (LHA 5) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

THE BATTLE GF PELELIU Peleliu is a small lush green jungle, about seven square miles in area enclosed by a coral reef, just like hundreds of other islands sprinkled across the blue Pacific leading to Japan. This island and others like it are relatively unimportant today. However, rn the Fall of 1944, 1,252 gallant young Marines gave their lives to wrest Pelelru out of the hands of the Japanese. Thus completing one more step in America's march across the Pacific. It is entirely fitting that USS PELELIU bear the name of this volcanic coral island honoring the brave men that fought and died there. The plan for assaulting and capturing the island base was simple and direct. First, soften the island defenses with naval gunfire and aerial bombardment. Then before the enemy can recover send in the Marines to storm the beaches and dig in. The next task rs the hardest, inch by bloody inch, dislodge an enemy that is battle-hardened, well entrenched, and cannot retreat because there is no place to retreat. Major General Roy S. Geiger, USMC, was no stranger to this type of warfare and lead the First Marine Division and the 81st Infantry Division with confidence and dread. He knew the Marines would win, he also knew the price of that win. To do the softening up, Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf commanded five battleships, eight cruisers, and 14 destroyers. The moming of Sept. 15, 1944 was classic in its beauty and serenity. The island the Marines assaulted gave no hint of the death and hardships that lay ahead. The softening up began and soon the island was lost in the haze and smoke of the explosions. Circling overhead, like so many buzzards, were 50 planes from nearby carriers. They dropped tons of explosives on the unresisting island. While the bombard- ment continued the small landing craft in orderly rows swam for the shore through holes opened in the surrounding reef. The bombardment lifted, and for a short time an expectant hush fell over Peleliu. The bow ramps fell in shallow water and the Marines charged. The peace of the beautiful day was shattered once again and it would not stop until November when many lives on both sides were over. Costly experience had taught the attacking Marines that tanks would be essential. Scant minutes after the first wave had landed, tanks ran through shallow water and rumbled ashore. One of the first objectives was the airfield. On Sept. 16 it fell to the Americans. Immedi- ately repairs began to make it operational. Two days later a Navy torpedo bomber made a successful emergency landing, and the next day artillery spotting planes commenced regular operations from the strip. 4 BATTLE OF PELELIU I l 3 Fx 'sg' A '59 ' .:' Y H3 vi rj, if T 9 I 1 i I 5 i 1

Page 7 text:

Hong Kong Dubai UAE Abu Dhabi UAE Singapore Hawaii -1-qu iii -1-1 -qu 11-1 1-1-I ,- g11- -1.1141- ,1-F111 Colonel Murray Mission Executive Oflicer Command Element BLT ACE MSSG MARINES 104 166 215 256 521 280 281 282 284 285 286 287 288 'I 15th MBU Fiery Vigil IWOJIMA in ELV370 .......-...-.- .,. iwo MMA TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

Page 9 text:

PELELIU ISLAND Two weeks after the bat- tle began, almost the en- tire island was in Ameri- can hands. As the last of the gunfire died away the island retumed to its qui- et ways. lt would take na- ture some time to repair the ravages of war and the airport would remain busy until the war's end. History had once again been written by the brav- ery and courage of the Marines. The Devil Dogs, as the Japanese called them, had won yet an- other battle. To over- come the 10,158 Japa- nese defenders the Ma- rines lost 6,526 men. Of these 1,256 were killed in action. It is to these gallant war- riors that this great ship has been dedicated. The Peleliu stands ready to deliver and support its cargo of heroes to wher- ever they may be need- ed, by sea, by land or by air. HQNGKONG N .PALAU The island of Peleliu is part of the Palau lslands. BATTLE OF PELELIU 5