June 1944

Marianas

In the early morning, 2 LCI(G)s attack enemy barges moving from Tanapag Harbor, sinking 1 and damaging the other. This concludes Japanese attempts to counterland.

In the 2nd Marine Division zone, the 6th Marines bypasses and later reduces the stubborn pocket that has been barring the advance north of Mt Tipo Pale. The 8th Marines consolidates its positions on Mt Tapotchau. The 27th Division continues to attack in the center of the corps with the 106th Infantry and the 2nd Battalion if the 165th. On the division left, the 1st Battalion of the 106th is held up by a strongpoint, called Hell's Pocket, at the southwest end of Death Valley. On the right, the 3rd Battalion of the 106th and the 2nd Battalin of the 165th batter at Purple Heart Ridge from the western and eastern slopes, respectively. The enemy there is beginning to weaken. The CO of the 106th Infantry is replaced. The 4th Marine Division, to which the 165th Infantry, less the 2nd Battalion, and the 1st Battalion of the 105th are attached at night, mops up on the right flank of the corps.

On southern Saipan, the 2nd Battalion of the 105th closes in on the enemy in the Nafutan Point area. After nightfall, the Japanese make a futile effort to breakout.