Photos: Peleliu returns for Christmas

Petty Officer Josh Labbe meets his 2 1/2-day-old daughter as his wife, Ashli Labbe, and son, Brodin Labbe, 3, greet him after disembarking from the Peleliu. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 24, 2014 3:06 PM PT

The amphibious assault ship Peleliu returns to San Diego from its deployment in the western Pacific in time for Christmas. The 34-year-old Peleliu, the last of the Navy’s Tarawa-class ships, is being decommissioned in March

Sailors wave to their friends and family upon their return to San Diego. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

The Cairncross family awaits eagerly for Lt. Tito Rivas. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Bronson Baker, left, embraces his wife, Alicia Baker, after disembarking from the Peleliu. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

People watch the arrival of the Peleliu. Its sister ships were the Tarawa, Saipan, Belleau Wood and Nassau. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Marissa Witte kisses her husband, Seaman Joshua Witte, after he and about 900 sailors disembarked the Navy ship Peleliu. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)