70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands - Teruki Okazaki (C), a 92-year-old former Japanese heavy artillery soldier, takes part in a parade on Saipan on June 15, 2014, to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1944 Battle of Saipan during World War II.

Ex-Japanese soldier offers prayers to war dead in Saipan

Ex-Japanese soldier offers prayers to war dead in Saipan

SAIPAN, United States - Teruki Okazaki, a former Japanese heavy artillery unit soldier who survived the 1944 Battle of Saipan during World War II, offers prayers on June 14, 2014, at a memorial for those who belonged to the same unit and died on the island. In the background is a 15-centimeter howitzer used by the unit.

Ex-Japanese WW2 soldier offers prayers in Saipan

Ex-Japanese WW2 soldier offers prayers in Saipan

SAIPAN, United States - Teruki Okazaki, a former Japanese heavy artillery unit soldier who survived the 1944 Battle of Saipan during World War II, prays on June 14, 2014, in front of a memorial for those who belonged to the same unit and died on the island. The memorial was built around a 15-centimeter howitzer the unit used.

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

70th anniversary of Battle of Saipan

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands - Teruki Okazaki (C), a 92-year-old former Japanese heavy artillery soldier, takes part in a parade on Saipan on June 15, 2014, to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1944 Battle of Saipan during World War II. (Kyodo)

Ex-Japanese soldier offers prayers to war dead in Saipan

Ex-Japanese soldier offers prayers to war dead in Saipan

SAIPAN, United States - Teruki Okazaki, a former Japanese heavy artillery unit soldier who survived the 1944 Battle of Saipan during World War II, offers prayers on June 14, 2014, at a memorial for those who belonged to the same unit and died on the island. In the background is a 15-centimeter howitzer used by the unit. (Kyodo)