Peleliu islands on Palau is in the western Pacific Ocean which only stretches six miles long and two miles wide. The island was a Japanese territory where Blanton would fight and eventually have his life taken away. The battle is considered the Forgotten Battle of World War II as many people are not informed at how costly and deadly the battle was. The battle proved to be the highest percentage of casualties in the Pacific with 1,800 killed and 8,000 wounded. The 1st Marines Division arrived in Peleliu on September 15, 1944 with four other infantry battalions in the 5th and 7th divisions. Major General William H. Rupertus of the 1st division believed that the battle would be tough and quick lasting only four or five days, but days turned into months. The 1st Marines division was unfamiliar with the Japanese tactics and were not prepared when battling in the Philippines. With 28,000 American soldiers against 11,000 Japanese, the battle saw numerous Japanese casualties, but proved to do little in the end.
After 73 days of fighting, the American soldiers finally secured the Peleliu islands against the Japanese hold. Nearly all of the Japanese were killed or wounded with almost 11,000 casualties. The battle that seized Blanton's life within two days lasted from September 15, 1944 to November 27, 1944. The 2nd battalion which Blanton was in only stayed on the island from the 15th of September until the 29th of September.