The United States Marine Corps took the island in the Battle of Peleliu during World War II.

The taking of Peleliu and Morotai gave the sea and air protection needed for the later invasion of the Philippines.

Japan had built two runways in an X pattern on the southern part of the island, now the Peleliu Airfield.

[5] Three days after the landing Seabees built a pontoon floating pier to get out past the reef.

Seabees 33rd Battalion started construction of a runway that long-range bombers could use, 6,000 feet long, on September 23.

At Blue Beach, a pontoon causeway was built for unloading and loading landing craft tank (LCT), completed on November 1, 1944.

On November 16, 1944, Marine Vought F4U Corsair from Peleliu and Grumman TBF Avenger from Ulithi launch an attack on Empire of Japan troops on Yap Island.

[7] November 27, 1944 VMF-541, a night fighter squadron with Grumman F6F Hellcat of the United States Marine Corps.