The sun was beginning to set over the Pacific, casting a golden hue across the restless waters. Aboard the Cleveland-class light cruiser USS Miami (CL-89), the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and salt. The deck was littered with spent shell casings, a testament to the fierce bombardment that had just taken place. It was September 7, 1944, and the Miami had played a crucial role in the assault on the Palau Islands, a key objective in the Pacific campaign.
Seaman First Class Danny Wilson leaned against the railing, wiping sweat and grime from his brow. His ears were still ringing from the relentless roar of the ship's 6-inch guns. For hours, the Miami had pounded enemy positions on the islands, clearing the way for the impending amphibious assault by the Marines. The barrage was intense, designed to soften the Japanese defenses and give the landing forces a fighting chance.