Previous Story
Purple Heart for CNMI’s marine scout
|
Posted on Mar 16 2000
The Senate yesterday adopted a resolution recognizing the heroism of a 73-year-old Saipan resident whom it said had sacrificed his life to fight along with U.S. soldiers to liberate the island from Japanese forces during World War II.
Marine Corporal Cristino Sablan dela Cruz will be awarded the Purple Heart with Gold Start medal tomorrow to acknowledge his services as native scout guide assisting U.S. Marines in its operations in the Marianas.
He was twice wounded in combat, said the resolution, “injuries making the more vivid the risk and sacrifice he faced” in the military service in the liberation of Saipan.
Mr. Dela Cruz was among the more than 50 Chamorro and Carolinian men honored last January with the official recognition of their military services in the 1940s and who were discharged as corporal with similar benefits granted to U.S. war veterans.
The resolution, offered by Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, honors the man “for his wounds in the line of duty during his courageous and valiant services” to the Marine Corps.
Meanwhile, the Senate also approved other resolutions during its session on Tinian yesterday and confirmed the nomination of Lenny Diaz to the NMI Retirement Board.
Three House joint resolutions were adopted — honoring Tokuo Yamashita, a member of Japan’s parliament Diet who is currently visiting the island; requesting the governor to create a PCB task force; and supporting Japanese wine company, Unkai Distillery Co., on its plan to invest on Rota by establishing a Shochu plant on the island.
