The War in the Pacific National Historical Park held a Curator’s Corner presentation, featuring the Battle of Saipan, Saturday afternoon at the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center.
The presentation featured many photographs that documented the historic event, as well as a display of memorabilia and items that U.S. soldiers left behind from the war. James Oelke, the park’s museum curator, led the presentation, detailing the events that occurred 67 years ago in Saipan.
“The reason we’re featuring the Battle of Saipan is because on June 15 of 1944, the United States attacked the island of Saipan,” said Oelke. “Saipan has a very interesting history.”
According to Oelke, Saipan was under Spanish rule for 333 years. It briefly came under German rule until World War I broke out, and Japan ended up taking over.
Saipan was the first major Japanese community to be encountered by American troops in World War II.
The arrival of American forces sealed the fate of the war, as the Japanese realized that Saipan was lost.
“The loss of Saipan altered the entire war,” Oelke said. “America could now launch non-stop bombing raids from air bases less than 1,500 miles from Tokyo.”
Curator’s Corner is a monthly offering at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park’s T. Stell Newman Visitor Center.
The Battle of Guam will be featured next month, July 16. Visit www.nps.gov/wapa for more information.
