10-036 Garand Picture of the Day - Siapan

[Mark in Rochester]

Saipan
Marine medic tends wounded child as his mother bows low in gratitude after they were captured or surrendered to Americans during battle between US and Japanese forces for control of Saipan.
Location: Saipan, Marianas Islands
Date taken: July 1944
Photographer: W. Eugene Smith




Saipan
American soldiers search for additional Japanese defenders after passing corpse under rocky overhang towards the end of the fighting between Japanese & US forces for control of Saipan.
Location: Saipan, Marianas Islands
Date taken: July 1944
Photographer: W. Eugene Smith




The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June 1944 to 9 July 1944. The invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on June 5, 1944, the same day Operation Overlord in Europe was launched. The United States 2nd Marine Division, 4th Marine Division, and 27th Infantry Division, commanded by Lieutenant General Holland Smith, defeated the 43rd Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Yo****sugu Saito.

The Pied Piper of Saipan

Hollywood producers became interested in Gabaldon's story and in 1960 released the film Hell to Eternity where his actions on Saipan were memorialized.

PFC Guy Gabaldon, a Mexican-American from Los Angeles, California, is officially credited with capturing more than 1,000 Japanese prisoners during the battle. PFC Gabaldon, who was raised by Japanese-Americans, used a combination of street Japanese and guile to convince soldiers and civilians alike that U.S. troops were not barbarians, and that they would be well treated upon surrender. For his outstanding bravery, Gabaldon received a Silver Star, which was upgraded to the Navy Cross.[10]

During the war, his commanders had requested that he receive the Medal of Honor for his actions; however, his initial award was the Silver Star. In 1998, efforts were re-initiated to secure the Medal of Honor for PFC Gabaldon.[11] The effort is still ongoing.

Information

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