USS Peleliu (LHA 5)

• Namesake: USS Peleliu (LHA 5) was named after the Battle of Peleliu, a fierce World War II battle fought in 1944 between U.S. forces and the Japanese on the island of Peleliu in the Pacific. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on May 3, 1980, at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and became the last of the Tarawa-class amphibious assault ships. • Humanitarian Missions: USS Peleliu played a crucial role in humanitarian missions, including Operation Restore Hope in Somalia (1992–1993), delivering food and aid to the famine-stricken region. • Operation Desert Storm: The ship deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, supporting coalition operations and amphibious landings. • Helicopter Operations: As an amphibious assault ship, Peleliu regularly embarked Marine Expeditionary Units and served as a launch platform for helicopters and Harrier jump jets. • Rescue at Sea: In 2008, Peleliu rescued 11 crew members from a Somali pirate attack on the merchant vessel Gem of Kilakari in the Gulf of Aden. • Celebrity Visit: In 1990, famed actor and WWII veteran Lee Marvin visited the ship, sharing stories with the crew about his own experiences during the Battle of Peleliu. • Medical Capabilities: The ship was equipped with a 300-bed hospital, making it a vital asset for medical support during combat and disaster relief operations. • Decommissioning: USS Peleliu was decommissioned on March 31, 2015, after 35 years of distinguished service and over 17 deployments. • Legacy: During its service, Peleliu earned numerous awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation and Humanitarian Service Medal, reflecting its versatility in both combat and peacetime operations.