USMC Artillery Survey Crew with Captured Japanese Battle Flags, Saipan 1944

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This photo was taken 13 July 1944 on Saipan in the Marianas. It shows a USMC artillery survey crew with three captured Japanese battle flags. This survey crew was caught in middle of a huge Japanese banzai charge during the battle of Saipan.

Commander Robert A. Earle, in center front, was from the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey who joined a Marine artillery regiment in August 1943, as survey officer. His outstanding work, often under enemy fire, was recognized by the USMC with the Legion of Merit.

Today in WW II: 9 Jul 1940 Battle of Calabria [Battle of Punta Stilo, the toe of Italy] fought between the Italian Royal Navy and the British/Australian Royal Navies, 30 miles [48km] east of Punta Stilo. More ?

9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul].
9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France.
9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured.
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