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USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304)

- Military Sealift Command -

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USNS PILILAAU is the fifth BOB HOPE - class large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship (LMSR) and the first ship in the Navy named after Army Private First Class Herbert K. Pililaau.

General Characteristics:Awarded: November 26, 1996
Keel laid: June 29, 1998
Launched: January 29, 2000
Delivered: July 24, 2001
Builder: Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, LA
Propulsion system: 4 Colt Pielstick 10 PC4.2 V diesels
Propellers: two
Length: 951.4 feet (290 meters)
Beam: 106 feet (32.3 meters)
Draft: 34.8 feet (10.6 meters)
Displacement: approx. 62,070 tons full load
Speed: 24 knots
Aircraft: helicopter landing area only
Armament: none
Capacity: 380,000 sq. ft.
Crew: 26 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty
Homeport: New Orleans, LA


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USNS PILILAAU. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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About the Ship's Name:

USNS PILILAAU is named in honor of Army Private First Class Herbert K. Pililaau, born October 10, 1928 in Waianae, Oahu, Hi., who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions near Pia-ri, Korea, on September 17, 1951.

Citation:

Pfc. Pililaau, a member of Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. The enemy sent wave after wave of fanatical troops against his platoon which held a key terrain feature on "Heartbreak Ridge." Valiantly defending its position, the unit repulsed each attack until ammunition became practically exhausted and it was ordered to withdraw to a new position. Voluntarily remaining behind to cover the withdrawal, Pfc. Pililaau fired his automatic weapon into the ranks of the assailants, threw all his grenades and, with ammunition exhausted, closed with the foe in hand-to-hand combat, courageously fighting with his trench knife and bare fists until finally overcome and mortally wounded. When the position was subsequently retaken, more than 40 enemy dead were counted in the area he had so valiantly defended. His heroic devotion to duty, indomitable fighting spirit, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.


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The photos below were taken by me and show the USNS PILILAAU at Bremerhaven, Germany, on January 1, 2023. Note that the formerly open area below the bridge has been now been fully enclosed.



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