#OTD 80 years ago, American troops launched an invasion of Saipan in the Western Pacific. The objective of the operation was to secure Saipan’s critical air base, providing the U.S. with a strategic position to conduct bombings of the Japanese mainland. The Marines of 2d Marine Division and 4th Marine Division fought alongside the US Army 27th Infantry Division, facing relentless artillery and mortar fire, and attacks from small arms, automatic weapons, and hand-to-hand combat. After 24 days of unyielding combat against roughly 32,000 motivated and disciplined Imperial Japanese Soldiers, U.S. forces claimed victory over the island on July 9, 1944. Now with Tokyo in range of American B-29 bombers, victory in the Pacific was in sight. #MarinesOfTheCorps #USMCHistory #BattleofSaipan
Dad Jost was a China Marine! Another 17 year old patriot that endured and saw things no 17 year old should ever see.
Alot of people forget this tiny little island but it was pivotal. I had the opportunity to visit the island back in 1994 while stationed in Japan. I was humbled by the visit. #BattleofSaipan
My grandpa, Capt William Thomas “Big Tom” Freeman was a Motor-T officer on Saipan, Tinian, and then Iwo Jima. We have a type-written account of the invasion.
My dad was there as Army medic .....
My Dad was a Seabee on Saipan in WWII. Semper Fidelis.
"Motivated and disciplined". Thank you for giving it to them.
Ooh Rah
Semper Fi!
The movie East LA Marine" documents the heroics of Guy Gabaldon, a must watch re: Saipan WWII
Director, Government & Industry Partnerships
2moSaipan was part of one of the islands that my father was on with 2nd Marine Division from Camp LeJeune NC. He was a young 17 year old Sergeant who had never seen the ocean or been out of NC. Thank God for the Greatest Generation. Go Marines!