Peleliu 60th Anniversary

Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu

The Republic of Palau hosted the Commemoration of the 50th. Anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu on September 12 through 15, 1994. Many activities were planned for the four- day event such as ceremonies, parades, luncheons, tours, a fishing derby and the opening of the WWII Museum in Peleliu.

In the planning stages of the Commemoration, Peleliu being a small remote island, 45 minutes by boat from Koror, proved to be the toughest logistical obstacle to endure. Virtually everything, and everyone had to be shipped in by boat or barge. This included heavy equipment to clear roads and sites, tour buses, a floating dock supplied by Palau Pacific Resort, concrete and lumber for the building of the stairs and deck at Bloody Nose Ridge, lumber for rest rooms, benches, tables and shelves, all the food and beverages, decorations, signs, stages, platforms, workers, volunteers, Veterans and guests. Government and private boats were used prior to the event. During the Commemoration, large dive boats were rented and Government boats were utilized for the transporting of Veterans and guests. All this took extensive planning and coordination by committee members.

Attending the Commemoration were over 600 guests, including approximately 170 U.S. Veterans and their families, 83 Military VIP's and support staff, 40 active Marines, 260 active sailors from the visiting U.S.S. San Bemardino, 5 Japanese Veterans, and 50 guests from a variety of places.

General Raymond G. Davis, USMC (Ret) and wife Knox and Major Everett P. Pope, USMC (Ret) and wife Eleanor were the VIP hosts for the U.S. returning Veterans. General Davis, a Peleliu Veteran, won the Medal of Honor in Korea in 1950. Major Pope, also a Peleliu Veteran won his Medal of Honor in Peleliu in 1944. Other military VIP's (DV's) who attended the Commemoration were:

Major General Libutti, Ist MEF
Brigadier General Rollins, USMC
Rear Admiral Brewer, USN
Brigadier General Duenas, USA
Colonel and Mrs. Larsen
Lieutenant Colonel Elias C. Chin
Captain Juan Salas
Captain James Rao, USCG
Captain Joseph Paul Commette, USN
Captain Daldespena, USA


"All gave some; some gave all."
Invitation to Veterans Program Peleliu Island Angaur Island Ngeremlengui State Palau General Info Boat Transportation Accommodations Photo Gallery Contact Sponsors Links Bulletin Board Home	Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu The Republic of Palau hosted the Commemoration of the 50th. Anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu on September 12 through 15, 1994. Many activities were planned for the four- day event such as ceremonies, parades, luncheons, tours, a fishing derby and the opening of the WWII Museum in Peleliu. In the planning stages of the Commemoration, Peleliu being a small remote island, 45 minutes by boat from Koror, proved to be the toughest logistical obstacle to endure. Virtually everything, and everyone had to be shipped in by boat or barge. This included heavy equipment to clear roads and sites, tour buses, a floating dock supplied by Palau Pacific Resort, concrete and lumber for the building of the stairs and deck at Bloody Nose Ridge, lumber for rest rooms, benches, tables and shelves, all the food and beverages, decorations, signs, stages, platforms, workers, volunteers, Veterans and guests. Government and private boats were used prior to the event. During the Commemoration, large dive boats were rented and Government boats were utilized for the transporting of Veterans and guests. All this took extensive planning and coordination by committee members. Attending the Commemoration were over 600 guests, including approximately 170 U.S. Veterans and their families, 83 Military VIP's and support staff, 40 active Marines, 260 active sailors from the visiting U.S.S. San Bemardino, 5 Japanese Veterans, and 50 guests from a variety of places. General Raymond G. Davis, USMC (Ret) and wife Knox and Major Everett P. Pope, USMC (Ret) and wife Eleanor were the VIP hosts for the U.S. returning Veterans. General Davis, a Peleliu Veteran, won the Medal of Honor in Korea in 1950. Major Pope, also a Peleliu Veteran won his Medal of Honor in Peleliu in 1944. Other military VIP's (DV's) who attended the Commemoration were: Major General Libutti, Ist MEF Brigadier General Rollins, USMC Rear Admiral Brewer, USN Brigadier General Duenas, USA Colonel and Mrs. Larsen Lieutenant Colonel Elias C. Chin Captain Juan Salas Captain James Rao, USCG Captain Joseph Paul Commette, USN Captain Daldespena, USA
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