American Defenders of Land, Sea & Sky
The Continuing Global Struggle America and World War II (1941-1945)
We landed in force on Pacific islands.
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American Defenders of Land, Sea & Sky The Continuing Global Struggle America and World War II (1941-1945) |
We landed in force on Pacific islands. |
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Landing Beaches at Marpi Point Saipan is the largest of fifteen islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Its location and size made it important to both the Japanese and the United States during World War II. On June 15, 1944, American aircraft, ships, and amphibious vehicles attacked Saipan's beaches. Marines--with Army support--slowly overtook key enemy fortifications. (This collection of Japanese artillery is on public display). By the afternoon of July 9, American forces had secured Saipan. Soon after, B-29s carried out their first massive raid on Tokyo against Japan's war industries. News of the loss of Saipan was so shocking that Premier Hideki Tojo and his entire cabinet resigned. Today, memorials are erected here to Americans lost in the battles for Saipan, Tinian, and the Battle of the Philippine Sea, as well as memorials to the dead of Japan, Okinawa, Korea--and to peace. |
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