Military runway named after veteran and Alabama native

HOOVER, Ala. (WBRC) – A piece of World War II US military history is now rebuilt decades later on a Pacific island. It’s a World War II-era Japanese airfield on the Pacific island of Peleliu.

The US Marines named the rebuilt landing strip the “Sledge” runway in honor of Alabama native, veteran and hero of the Peleliu battle, PFC Eugene Sledge.

Peleliu is the site of one of the Marines’ bloodiest battles of World War II.

Henry Sledge is very proud of his father, Eugene Sledge – a Marine veteran who fought in World War II.

“The memoir that he wrote, With the Old Breed, is considered to be the finest combat infantryman’s account of, of fighting in World War II,” Henry Sledge said. “He has gained accolades through the years, but he was he was a guy who was extremely proud to have been a Marine; extremely proud to have served his country.”

His father carried a pocket Bible with him as he fought in World War II, chronicling the things he saw. Henry Sledge says he took notes on little pieces of paper, storing them within the pages of the Bible.

Henry Sledge believes the “Sledge” runway, now a possible US basing option in a strategy to counter China, could be important for US military strategy in the future.

“It is a little sobering when you think that a tiny island in the remote reaches of the western Pacific is of value now and we need it,” Henry Sledge said. “And when you begin to unpack why that is, it’s something to think about.”

In 1999, Henry visited the island where his father fought, seeing where the stories took place.

“It was one of the most emotionally powerful things I’ve ever experienced,” he said. “I mean, to walk across terrain that you knew your dad fought on.”

He says it’s an amazing honor for his father.

“The fact that the Marine Corps is memorializing him, or immortalizing him by naming an airfield after him is really special,” he said. “It’s an honor.”

The HBO miniseries “The Pacific” was based on Eugene Sledge’s memoir “With the Old Breed.”

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