Leon Ford

Sledge and Leckie land with the 1st Marine Division at Peleliu. Sledge leaves America to join the forces in the south Pacific and has a harrowing introduction to combat when he participates in the assault on Peleliu. Back home, Basilone promotes the war bonds programme.

Sledge and the 5th Marines move into Peleliu's Bloody Nose Ridge to face the Japanese. Andrew "Ack-Ack" Haldane is killed by a Japanese sniper while assessing Hill 140. Back home, Basilone becomes disillusioned with selling war bonds and longs to rejoin his comrades.

The Marines move to capture Peleliu's vital airfield. During battle, Leckie is wounded by a blast concussion while trying to relay a message to the corpsman and evacuated to a hospital ship. Sledge realises he is still far from accustomed to the brutal realities of war.