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The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry approaches Guadalcanal for a port visit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of World War II's Battle of Guadalcanal, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry approaches Guadalcanal for a port visit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of World War II's Battle of Guadalcanal, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017. (William Collins III/U.S. Navy)

The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry approaches Guadalcanal for a port visit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of World War II's Battle of Guadalcanal, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry approaches Guadalcanal for a port visit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of World War II's Battle of Guadalcanal, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017. (William Collins III/U.S. Navy)

Sailors stand at parade rest as the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry pulls into Guadalcanal for a port visit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the famous World War II battle, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.

Sailors stand at parade rest as the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry pulls into Guadalcanal for a port visit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the famous World War II battle, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017. (William Collins III/U.S. Navy)

An American warship arrived in the Solomon Islands Friday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of World War II’s Battle of Guadalcanal.

The USS Barry, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, made a port call in the capital of Honiara, where its crew will participate in ceremonies, memorial services, community events and a parade, a Navy statement said.

The Battle of Guadalcanal — the first major offensive by Allied forces against Japan — began Aug. 7, 1942, when 11,000 Marines landed on the island. It took six months of fighting before the last Japanese defenders withdrew. The battle included the first U.S. amphibious attack of World War II and marked the first time Japan lost territory after the war began.

The Barry, forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, recently took part in Talisman Saber, a major joint exercise with Australia that involved more 33,000 troops. In June, the ship helped search for Petty Officer 3rd Class Peter Mims, the USS Shiloh sailor who was presumed overboard but later found hiding in the cruiser’s engine room.

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