THE commonwealth government led by Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente commemorated on Saturday the anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Saipan and Tinian.
At American Memorial Park, Benavente honored the over 5,000 U.S. soldiers and 18,000 civilians that perished on “D-Day,” considered the first major land offensive of the Pacific War.
Benavente said the Northern Marianas will never forget the price of freedom.
“We will remain forever grateful for the sacrifices made on these shores 58 years ago,” Benavente said.
The invasion led for the first time to the capture of a Japanese-held territory. The Northern Marianas was under Japanese rule from 1914 to 1944.
On June 15, 1944, under cover of air and naval bombardment, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions of the V Amphibious Corps landed on the beaches of Saipan in the face of heavy Japanese resistance.
After 24 days and night of close and deadly ground combat, Saipan was declared secure on July 9, 1944 by Lt. Gen. Rolland M. Smith.
The invasion of Tinian followed and the island fell to the U.S. Marines on Aug. 2, 1944.
Acting Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Vicky I. Benavente said she “felt honored” whenever D-Day is commemorated.
“We were liberated not just from war, but from oppression,” Mrs. Benavente told Variety.
Mrs. Benavente’s grandmother was one of the civilians that perished during the invasion. She said it is “always important to remember the things our elders did for our children.”
Park Ranger Chuck Sayon said the Battle of Saipan was the “beginning of the end.”
“The Allied forces attacked Japanese-held territories and won. From here and until the end, it was a string of victories to the final closing of World War II,” Sayon said in his speech.
He said American Memorial Park was built to serve as a living reminder of the sacrifices of the U.S. military and the people of the Northern Marianas.
Veterans and Military Affairs Director Frank G. Cepeda noted the significance of last Saturday’s celebration.
“We are now realizing that our own history must have a place in everyone’s heart,” he said.
On 2004, there will be a grand celebration to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day, he added.
