USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304), Largest Ship Ever To Use Port Of Olympia

The 950-foot long ship USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304) is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Olympia bringing equipment home from the war in Iraq. Port records indicate the Military Sealift Command ship would be the largest vessel ever to berth at The Port of Olympia, said port spokeswoman Patti Grant. The ship is one of 19 in the command’s category of Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off vessels, meaning vehicles can be driven onto it. The ship is named after Army Private First Class Herbert K. Pililaau, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for courageous service in the Korean War battle near Pia-ri on September 17, 1951. The military resumed use of the port for the first time in 17 years last year.