D+24

July 9, 1944

Objective O-9 (extreme northeastern tip of Saipan) had seemed very distant on 15 June 1944 when the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions hit the Charan Kanoa beaches. It seemed to get no closer as the days grew to weeks, and the number of casualties climbed from one digit to five, and the young matured to grim old age. As long as a single wooded hummock separated the front lines from the farthest tip of land, objective O-9 had been an ambition--little more. Ambition became reality on 9 July when the 4th Division spurted to the shores of Marpi Point.

- Maj. Carl Hoffman, Saipan: The Beginning Of The End

The end truly was in sight for the 4th Marine Division. Although facing "considerable harassment from extremely accurate sniper fire" and having to clear enemies from "caves and heavy underbrush," the assault battalions pushed forward all along the line, racing each other to be the first to Marpi Point.

When they reached the unfinished airfield, the only thing before them was the sea.

The final line, O-9, had been reached. Almost instantaneously, Saipan was declared officially "secured."

For the Marines, this declaration was met with raised eyebrows.

At 1615 a message was heard from an unknown station by tank liaison officer over tank TCS radio, that the island was secured. Part of F Company was pinned down on the beach for four hours by intense enemy machine gun and rifle fire from the western cliff face which resulted in one dead and ten wounded. This company was not able to pull completely back on to the high ground until darkness set in. It took five hours to evacuate the wounded up the treacherous cliff.

- 2/24 Official Report

...the island was announced as officially secured with appropriate flag-raisings and photographing of leading commanders on the Marpi airstrip. "Officially secure" and "mopping up operations continue" are two phrases well-known to the writers and readers of communiques. To the public, "officially secure" marks the completion of conquest. But to the infantry it is meaningless, save that it foretells of extensive probing for surviving Japs, and probing of the sort that produces a high death rate in proportion to the wounded. To us securing would come when we boarded ship.

- Captain Frederic Stott, 1/24, "Saipan Under Fire."

The Japanese in the caves had no desire to just let the issue lie. Mopping up efforts would continue for months as isolated groups emerged from their caves for one last stand against the Americans.

ABLE COMPANY CASUALTIES, JULY 9, 1944
Wounded:
Private Clyde F. Manson, Jr.

Total: 1