70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands - Photo shows cenotaphs at Banzai Cliff on the island of Saipan on June 15, 2014, the day of a ceremony on the island to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1944 Battle of Saipan during World War II. Numerous Japanese soldiers and civilians jumped to their deaths at the cliff during the battle.

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands - Photo shows a sunset at Banzai Cliff on the island of Saipan on June 15, 2014, the day of a ceremony on the island to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1944 Battle of Saipan during World War II. Numerous Japanese soldiers and civilians jumped to their deaths at the cliff during the battle.

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands - A local resident watches a sunset at Banzai Cliff on the island of Saipan on June 15, 2014, the day of a ceremony on the island to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1944 Battle of Saipan during World War II. Numerous Japanese soldiers and civilians jumped to their deaths at the cliff during the battle.

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands - Photo shows a sunset at Banzai Cliff on the island of Saipan on June 15, 2014, the day of a ceremony on the island to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1944 Battle of Saipan during World War II. Numerous Japanese soldiers and civilians jumped to their deaths at the cliff during the battle. (Kyodo)

Japanese imperial couple in Saipan

Japanese imperial couple in Saipan

File photo taken in Saipan in June 2005 shows Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko standing in silence at Banzai Cliff at the northern end of the island. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo