On this date, 1944: Following heavy naval gunfire and air strikes, the V Amphibious Corps (which included the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions) assaulted the heavily contested beaches of Saipan in the Mariana Islands. The Japanese knew that if they lost the Marianas, they lost the war. Once taken, the US built the biggest airport in the world on Tinian, and others on Saipan, etc, and bombed Japan into surrender. I dont forget these guys. I have a self seeding Poppy garden.
