Walking the Battlefield at Peleliu
The battle of Peleliu was one of the bloodiest of the Central Islands campaign, decimating the U.S. Marine Corps' First Division. What many thought would be a "tough but quick" fight, turned into a 2 1/2 month, inch-by-inch, cave by cave struggle. Given its remoteness and terrain, much of the battlefield remains today as it was in September 1944. Building on a 2019 staff ride, walk through the battle with current and period photographs, and join a discussion of the key players and lessons learned from both sides in this horrific fight.
About this Lecture
Lectures of Opportunity offer U.S. Naval War College (NWC) students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to learn more about national and international socio-political subjects that may be of relevance to the NWC community.