WWII E150 Across the Airfield: The 5th Marines on Peleliu

Written By Robert Estrada

Episode Description

In this episode, we examine the 5th Marine Regiment’s role in the brutal Battle of Peleliu. As part of the 1st Marine Division, the 5th Marines were tasked with seizing the island’s strategically vital airfield. They advanced across open terrain under withering fire, securing the airfield despite intense Japanese resistance and extreme environmental conditions. By mid-October, after nearly a month of combat, the 5th Marines were physically spent and heavily depleted. 

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References

  • Alexander, J. H. (2004, November). “Surprise and Chagrin”: The Navy’s Battle for Peleliu. Proceedings, 130(11). U.S. Naval Institute.

  • Carrell, T. L. (2022). Peleliu’s forgotten WWII battlefields (NOAA Technical Report OER‑44481). U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.

  • First Marines Special Action Report (15 Sept 1944). (1944, September 15). First Marines Special Action Report: Peleliu initial landings, weather, unit actions. peleliuhistorical.org.

  • Gayle, G. D. (1950). Bloody Beaches: The Marines at Peleliu. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

  • Hough, F. O. (1950). The Assault on Peleliu. Historical Branch, G‑3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

  • Melson, C. D. (1996). Condition Red: Marine Defense Battalions in World War II [Pamphlet, 32 pp.]. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

  • Nakagawa, K. (1944, September 15). After‑Action Report to Lt. Gen. Sadae Inoue [Personal AAR]. In Peleliu operations summary. peleliuhistorical.org.

  • Shaw, H. I., Jr., Nalty, B. C., & Turnbladh, E. T. (1966). Central Pacific Drive: History of U.S. Marine Corps operations in World War II (Vol. III). Historical Branch, G‑3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

  • United States Marine Corps History Division. (1984, Spring). Fortitudine (Vol. 13, No. 4). Marine Corps Historical Program.

Robert Estrada
Next

WWII E149 Storming Peleliu: The Brutal Fight of the 1st Marines