SAIPAN
<June 15, 1944 - July 9, 1944>
After the Philippines were retaken, the Allied
forces moved into the Central Pacific to invade the Mariana Islands
located near Hawaii. “Operation Forager,” the invasion
of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam in the Marianas began. The southern
island of Saipan was considered key to Japan’s inner defense
line and a major stronghold in the Pacific. If the Allied forces
successfully took Saipan and Tinian, they would provide bases
for B-29
bombers to attack the Japanese home islands, which were only 1,500
miles away.
The work of the MIS was once again indispensable to Army commanders.
The captured “Z”
Plan from the Philippines campaign indicated the plans of
the Japanese in the Marianas and provided an advantage in the
Saipan and Tinian invasions. When the fierce fighting in the jungles
in Saipan and Tinian were completed, the MIS
bravely entered caves in hopes of freeing civilians as well as
coercing the Japanese soldiers to surrender. One example involved
Sergeant Bob Hoichi Kubo, who while interrogating POWs, learned
that Japanese soldiers were keeping a large number of civilians
hostage in a cave. He entered the cave, slid down a rope and laid
down his .45 caliber pistol before the Japanese soldiers. Kubo
then shared his K-rations with the hungry soldiers and calmly
talked them into surrendering. Kubo’s successful attempt
saved the lives of more than a 100 women and children. Sergeant
Kubo received a Distinguished
Service Cross for his bravery .
Overall, countless lives were taken on both sides of the Marianas
campaign. Despite the high number of casualties, the Allied forces
gained another victory that was achieved in part by the intelligence
work of the MIS.
