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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Peleliu (LHA-5)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Papa - Echo - Lima
 NPEL
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Navy Unit Commendation
Second Row - Navy Expeditionary Medal - National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (4)
Third Row - Southwest Asia Service Medal - Humanitarian Service Medal (1-Boat People -21 July 1979 to 30 June 1984)
Tarawa Class Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose):
  • Ex-Da Nang, ex-Khe Sanh laid down 12 November 1976, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula, MS.
  • Renamed Peleliu, 15 February 1978
  • Launched, 25 November 1978
  • Commissioned USS Peleliu (LHA-5), 3 May 1980
  • Peleliu is assigned to the Naval Surfaces Forces Pacific, US Third Fleet, US Pacific Fleet, and is homeported at San Diego, CA.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 38,900 tons (fl.)
    Length 820'
    Beam 106'
    Draft 26'
    Speed 24 kts.
    Crew 82 Officer, 882 Enlisted
    Troop Accommodations 1900 plus
    Armament two RAM launchers, two single 5"/54 gun mounts, two 20 mm Phalanx (CIWS), six 25 mm chain guns
    Aircraft 28 amphibious transport helicopters
    Power Plant two 600 psi boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Peleliu 189k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) passing through Milaflores Lock, Panama Canal, December 1980.
    Photo by PH3 Joe A. Kalentkowski USN.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Peleliu 81k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) conducting amphibious exercises with units of Assault Craft Unit One ACU-1. Note: LCU-653, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, July 1982    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Peleliu 105k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, May 1983    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Peleliu 110k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert Hurst
    Peleliu 73k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Peleliu 66k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway off San Diego, date unknown.
    ©Marine Photos of San Diego, CA.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 80k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway off the Hawaiian Islands, date unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 .
    Peleliu 21k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 USS Peleliu web site
    Peleliu 2428k An elevated starboard bow view of USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway off Peleliu Island, 6 February 1984.
    DOD photo # DN-ST-84-06774 PACIFIC OCEAN (6 February 1984) at US Navy photo by PH2 G. Leech, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 1358k An aerial starboard beam view of USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway off Peleliu Island, 6 February 1984.
    DOD photo # DN-ST-84-06773 PACIFIC OCEAN (6 February 1984) at US Navy photo by PH2 G. Leech, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 890k An aerial starboard quarter view of USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway off Peleliu Island, 6 February 1984.
    DOD photo # DN-ST-84-06776 PACIFIC OCEAN (6 February 19840 at US Navy photo by PH2 G. Leech, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 1221k A port quarter view of USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway during Cobra Gold '85, 1 July 1985. In 1982, the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the U.S. Armed Forces initiated joint training, under the name of Exercise COBRA GOLD. The Royal Thai Navy is conducting naval, air and landing exercises with the US Navy and US Marine Corps. These include: PHIBTRAEX, SEAIAM, UNDERSEAL, and EODEX.
    DOD photo # DN-ST-88-01894 THAILAND (1 July 1985) at US Navy photo by PHC Bayles, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 1296k Aerial starboard beam view of USS Peleliu (LHA-5) led by the guided-missile destroyer USS Berkeley (DDG-15) passing under the Golden Gate Bridge, 12 October 1985, at the start of Navy Fleet Week '85 activities.
    DOD photo # DN-ST-86-01379 SAN FRANCISCO BAY (12 October 1985) at US Navy photo by PH2 David A. Dostie, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 1769k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) passes in review with crewmen manning the rail during the Parade of Ships at Navy Fleet Week '85 activities, 12 October 1985, during the Parade of Ships at Navy Fleet Week '85 activities.
    DOD photo # DN-SC-86-03204 SAN FRANCISCO BAY (12 October 1985) at US Navy photo by PH3 J.W.R. Oslund, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 2658k An aerial port beam view of USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway, 12 October 1985, during Navy Fleet Week '85 activities.
    DOD photo # DN-SC-86-03242 SAN FRANCISCO BAY (12 October 1985) at US Navy photo by PH2 David A. Dostie, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 53k USS Peleliu (LHA-5), at Hong Kong, 1992. William Chiu
    Peleliu 60k USS Peleliu (LHA-5), at Hong Kong. 1992 William Chiu
    Peleliu 518k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway to support Exercise KERNEL BLITZ '97, off the coast of Camp Pendleton, 29 June 1997. USS Peleliu is the Amphibious Group Squadron Commander's (COMPHIBRON 1) flagship. Kernel Blitz, a bi-annual fleet training exercise, tests the ability of Navy and Marine Corps forces to plan and conduct a brigade-size amphibious landing operation. It is the only regularly scheduled exercise of its kind in the Pacific.
    US Navy photo # 970629-N-0485L-002 CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (29 June 1997), by PH1 (AW/NAC) Bryan K. Logan, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 63k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) conducting amphibious exercises, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, January 1999    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Peleliu 411k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) anchors for well deck operations and flight quarters, 8 January 2002. Peleliu is underway in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
    US Navy photo # 020108-N-9467K-161 (8 January 2002) by PH3 Ryan M. Kitchell.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 237k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) and the rest of the Peleliu Amphibious Group arrive at Freemantle, Australia, 28 January 2002.
    US Navy photo.    		 USS Peleliu web site
    Peleliu 30k USS Peleliu (LHA-5), at San Diego, CA., 5 April 2002 Photo by JO2(SW) Jason Heavner USN,
    ComNavSurfPac Public Affairs
    Peleliu 56k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway, date and location unknown. Dustie Meads
    Peleliu 82k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) off Long Beach, date unknown. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Peleliu 34k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway, date and location unknown. Robert Hurst
    Peleliu 76k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) sailors “man the rails” as the ship transits San Diego Bay as she returns from deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Five San Diego-based ships assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1) returned home following a six and a half month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism. The ships of ESG 1 include the amphibious assault ship Peleliu (LHA 5), the dock landing ship USS Ogden (LPD-5), guided missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG-73), the guided missile frigate USS Jarrett (FFG-33) and the dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD-42).
    US Navy photo # 040309-N-8076M-051 by PH3 Mark A. Mead.    		 Bill Gonyo
    Peleliu 70k A Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC), assigned to Assault Craft Unit Five (ACU-5), departs from USS Peleliu (LHA-5), 28 June 2005. ACU-5 is currently conducting amphibious training on the beaches of Pacific Missile Range Facility, on the island of Kauai, HI.
    US Navy photo # 050628-N-9866B-014 by JO2 Zack Baddorf.    		 Jack Treutle
    Peleliu 525k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) and USS Cushing (DD-985) moored at Naval Station San Diego, CA. APL-15 was alongside Cushing to accommodate her crew while the destroyer was undergoing pre-decommissioning prior to her actual decommissioning, 21 September 2005. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Peleliu 450k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) moored at Naval Station San Diego, CA., March 2006. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Peleliu 469k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) returns to Naval Station San Diego, CA., 16 August 2006, following a six-month deployment to the 5th Fleet's area of responsibility. During this deployment the USS Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group conducted operations in the Persian Gulf. As COMPHIBRON 3's flagship, she completed more than 5,337 flight deck evolutions while in the region, with more than 585 hours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). From Peleliu's deck, AV-8B Harriers assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214 also flew 268 missions into Iraq in support of engaged ground units, oftentimes flying more than 2,400 miles in a single day.
    US Navy photo # 060816-N-7498L-002 SAN DIEGO BAY (August 16, 2006), by MC3 Mark G. Logico, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 647k More than 3,000 Sailors and Marines aboard USS Peleliu (LHA-5) depart their homeport, to assist in "Pacific Partnership" , a humanitarian and civic mission to several nations in Southeast Asia and Oceania, 23 May 2007.
    US Navy photo # 070523-N-4658L-110 San Diego Bay (May 23, 2007), by MC2 Mark A. Leonesio, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 779k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) arrives for a port call at Pearl Harbor, 29 May 2007. Peleliu is on her way to assist in "Pacific Partnership", a humanitarian and civic mission to several nations in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
    US Navy photo # 070529-N-1280S-010 Naval Station Pearl Harbor (May 29, 2007) , by MC2 Lindsay Switzer, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 428k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) anchored in Da Nang Harbor, 17 July 2007, as a Vietnamese fishing boat heads out to sea. Peleliu is at Da Nang in support of "Pacific Partnership", which is a humanitarian assistance mission in Southeast Asia and Oceania that includes specialized medical care and various construction and engineering projects.
    US Navy photo # 070717-N-4954I-193 Da Nang City, Vietnam (July 17, 2007), by MC3 Bryan M. Ilyankoff, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 580k Navy harbor tugs assigned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor assist USS Peleliu (LHA-5) as she prepares to moor pierside at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, 12 September 2007. Peleliu was making a port visit prior to returning to her homeport at Naval Station San Diego after completing a four-month Pacific Partnership humanitarian assistance mission.
    US Navy photo # 070912-N-4965F-012 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Sept. 12, 2007) by MC1James E. Foehl    		 Lee Wahler
    Peleliu 594k Sailors and Marines aboard USS Peleliu (LHA-5) man the rails as the ship steams past downtown San Diego, during the ship's departure to commence their regularly-scheduled 2008 Western Pacific deployment, 4 May 2008. The USS Midway (CV-41) Museum can be seen ahead to starboard, located at Navy Pier at the foot of Broadway.
    US Navy photo # 080504-N-9421C-018 San Diego Bay (May 4, 2008), by MC2 Kerryl Cacho, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 1435k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway in the Pacific Ocean conducting routine operations. Peleliu is the lead ship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group and is on a scheduled deployment.
    US Navy photo # 80514-N-2183K-030 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 14, 2008) by MC3 Dustin Kelling    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 512k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) steams through the South China Sea, 30 May 2008. Peleliu is the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group and is on a scheduled deployment.
    US Navy photo # 080530-N-2179W-208 SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 30, 2008) by MC2 Scott Web.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 546k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) steams through the South China Sea, 30 May 2008. Peleliu is the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group and is on a scheduled deployment.
    US Navy photo # 080530-N-2179W-234 SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 30, 2008) by MC2 Scott Web.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 889k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) steams through the South China Sea, 30 May 2008. Peleliu is the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group and is on a scheduled deployment.
    US Navy photo # 080530-N-2179W-243 SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 30, 2008) by MC2 Scott Web.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 515k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) steams through the South China Sea, 30 May 2008. Peleliu is the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group and is on a scheduled deployment.
    US Navy photo # 080530-N-2179W-263 SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 30, 2008) by MC2 Scott Web.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 485k An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA-311) lands aboard the Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA-5) as it steams through the South China Sea. Peleliu is the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group and is on a scheduled deployment.<
    US Navy photo # 080530-N-2179W-275 SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 30, 2008) by MC2 Scott Web.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 577k An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA-311) lands aboard the Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA-5) as it steams through the South China Sea. Peleliu is the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group and is on a scheduled deployment.
    US Navy photo # 080530-N-2179W-277 SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 30, 2008) by MC2 Scott Web.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 3413k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) moored pierside in the Middle East, 16 August 2008. Peleliu is deployed in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations.
    US Navy photo # 080816-N-3583Z-001 RED SEA (Aug. 16, 2008) by AM3 Yuefeng Zhai.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 1778k MC2 Scott Webb acquires video of USS Peleliu (LHA-5) during a photo exercise, 19 August 2008. Peleliu is deployed supporting maritime security operations in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 080819-N-2600H-106 RED SEA (Aug. 19, 2008) by MC3 Matthew A. Hepburn.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 2118k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) transits through the Red Sea while conducting routine operations, 19 August 2008. Peleliu is deployed supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility..
    US Navy photo # 080819-N-2600H-109 RED SEA (Aug. 19, 2008) by MC3 Matthew A. Hepburn.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 2387k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) conducts operations in the Red Sea, 27 August 2008. Peleliu is deployed supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 080827-N-2183K-088 RED SEA (Aug. 27, 2008) by MC2 Dustin L. Kelling.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 2456k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) conducts operations in the Red Sea, 27 August 2008. Peleliu is deployed supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 080827-N-2183K-122 RED SEA (Aug. 27, 2008) by MC2 Dustin L. Kelling.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 2428k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) conducts operations in the Red Sea, 27 August 2008. Peleliu is deployed supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 080827-N-2183K-172 RED SEA (Aug. 27, 2008) by MC2 Dustin L. Kelling.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 2919k An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the "Sea Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Two (HSC-22) delivers crates of supplies to USS Peleliu (LHA-5) during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP), 31 August 2008. Peleliu is deployed supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 080831-N-2183K-044 RED SEA (Aug. 31, 2008)by MC2 Dustin L. Kelling.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 2381k An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the "Sea Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Two (HSC-22) delivers crates of supplies to USS Peleliu (LHA-5) during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP), 31 August 2008. Peleliu is deployed supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 080831-N-2183K-043 RED SEA (Aug. 31, 2008) by MC2 Dustin L. Kelling.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 2920k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway in Pacific Ocean with more than 250 guests for a scheduled Tiger Cruise
    US Navy photo # 081101-N-5148B-008 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 1, 2008) by MC3 Sarah E. Bitter.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 760k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) underway in Pacific Ocean with more than 250 guests for a scheduled Tiger Cruise
    US Navy photo # 081101-N-5148B-011 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 1, 2008) by MC3 Sarah E. Bitter.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 2021k Search and rescue swimmers assigned to the "Wild Cards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Command Squadron (HSC-23) are hoisted into an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter during a search and rescue demonstration for Tiger Cruise participants aboard USS Peleliu (LHA-5).
    US Navy photo # 081101-N-5148B-076 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 1, 2008) by MC3 Sarah E. Bitter.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 1341k Security boats escort USS Peleliu (LHA-5) as she enters San Diego Bay after completing a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. Peleliu, the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group, deployed in support of U.S. Marine Corps and maritime security operations.
    US Navy photo # 081104-N-8878B-156 SAN DIEGO (Nov. 4, 2008) by MC3 Michael C. Barton.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 1328k USS Peleliu (LHA-5) enters San Diego Bay on a foggy morning, after completing a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. Peleliu, the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group, deployed in support of U.S. Marine Corps and maritime security operations.
    US Navy photo # 081104-N-8878B-252 SAN DIEGO (Nov. 4, 2008) by MC3 Michael C. Barton.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Peleliu 1473k Sailors man the rail aboard USS Peleliu (LHA-5) as she steams toward her homeport of Naval Station San Diego after completing a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. Peleliu, the flagship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group, deployed in support of U.S. Marine Corps and maritime security operations.
    US Navy photo # 081104-N-8878B-280 SAN DIEGO (Nov. 4, 2008) by MC3 Michael C. Barton.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    USS Peleliu (LHA-5) Memorabilia
    Peleliu
    3 May 1980
    Commissioning Program
    Contributed by Robert M. Cieri    		 Peleliu
    Peleliu Island
    Ship's Namesake
    Contributed by Robert M. Cieri    		 Peleliu
    1980
    Welcome Aboard
    Contributed by Robert M. Cieri    		 Peleliu
    1982
    Welcome Aboard
    Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
    There is no DANFS history available for USS Peleliu (LHA-5) at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
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    Last Updated 21 November 2008