Marines Return to Peleliu: Restoring a Historic Airfield for Modern Use

Marines Return to Peleliu, Site of Fierce WWII Battle, for Strategic Purposes

In a historic moment, Marines have once again landed on the tiny island of Peleliu, where some of the fiercest fighting of World War II took place. The Marines flew in on a KC-130J Super Hercules tanker, marking a major milestone in the U.S. Marine Corps’ efforts to restore and update military installations in the Pacific.

The battle for Peleliu in 1944 was one of the bloodiest in U.S. history, with almost 50,000 Marines and Army soldiers fighting to seize the island from 10,000 Japanese soldiers. The recertification of the airstrip on Peleliu is seen as critical to enhancing U.S. military strategic capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Named ‘Sledge’ in honor of Eugene Sledge, a Marine who fought in the Battle of Peleliu, the airstrip holds historical significance. The ongoing work on Peleliu includes clearing away vegetation and unexploded ordnance from the war, as well as road improvements on the island.

Despite its small size, Peleliu played a key role in the American island hopping campaign during World War II. The battle, which lasted three months, ended with an American victory but at a high cost in casualties. The Marine Corps is now expanding the Peleliu Civic Center Museum and adding artifacts from the battle.

The recertification of the airstrip on Peleliu is part of a broader effort by the U.S. military to upgrade and expand its presence in the Pacific. The strategic importance of Peleliu in the modern Pacific theater is evident, as Marines once again fly from the historic island, looking towards regional stability and security.