"Our war was lost with the loss of Saipan"
- Vice Admiral Shigeyoshi Miwa, Japanese Navy
 Civilians escorted to safety (credit: Dept. of Defense USMC Photo 83013)
Many Japanese were debating on whether to commit suicide or surrender. U.S. Marines tried to get Japanese soldiers and civilians to surrender and offered them food, shelter and medication. While many decided to jump off the cliffs, some surrendered when they were convinced by Guy Gabaldon, a Japanese speaking marine. Alone, he managed to successfully capture over 1,000 civilians and was known as the "Pied Piper of Saipan".
|
A surrendering Japanese soldier emerging from cave (credit: Dept. of Defense USMC Photo 87137)
|
Japanese soldiers had unbelievable bravery and loyalty. Many U.S. Marines commanders compared them with marines saying that "They were outstanding - as good as marines". They believed that honorable death was better than surrendering. Because of their unwavering loyalty, many continued to fight on even after Saipan was captured, fighting a guerrilla war. Oba Sake, who was one of the many Japanese soldiers leading the guerrilla war, did not surrender until December 1945. Japan announced their surrender on August 15, 1945 and the treaty was officially signed on September 2, 1945 marking the end of WWII.
Japanese women and children rounded up (credit: Dept. of Defense USMC photo)
|
Capt. Sakae Oba surrenders his sword to a U.S. officer on Dec. 1, 1945 (credit: thejapantimes)
|
"Japan surrenders, end of war" The New York Times, 1945
|
