SKU: Peleliu

On the 15th of September, 1944, the U.S. 1st Marine Division began landing on Peleliu Island in the Palau Group.  For three days prior to the assault, U.S. ships and aircraft pounded the island with 6000 tons of explosives.  After establishing a shallow beach head, the Marines approached Aslito Airfield.  Progress was marked in yards in a month long battle which became on of the most ferocious during the entire Pacific War.  On September 23, units of the Army’s 81st Division landed to assist in the assault.  On October 14, the island was declared secure although scattered resistance continued through the end of November.  Marine losses totaled 1,124 KIA and 117 missing.  An estimated 10,700 Japanese were killed.