Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 5, 1 May 2000 — Hero's ship [ARTICLE]

Hero's ship

The USNS Piliaau, the fifth in a series of seven large, medium speed ships being built for the Military Sealift Command, was recently christened in New Orleans, according to the March 24 West Coast Sailor, the official publication of the Sailor's Union of the Pacific. Longer than three football fields, the ship one of the largest vessels in the United States Navy fleet. It was named for Pfc, Herbert K. Pilila'au, a Native Hawaiian from Wai'anae who was decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor during the Korean War. On Sept. 17, 1951, "Pihla'au distinguished himself by voluntarily remaining to defend his platoon's position and cover its withdrawal from Heartbreak Ridge," the article said. After exhausting his ammunition, Pilila'au continued to fight with his trench knife and bare fists until he was mortally wounded. When the position was retaken, said the West Coast Sailor, "more than 40 enemy dead were counted in the area." Pfc. Pilila'au is survived by his 'ohana that resides in Nānākuli. According to

Trustee Haunani Apoliona, several family members traveled to Louisiana to participate in the christening and launeh of the USNS Pililaau.