‘We shouldn’t endure a war again’

Japanese World War II veteran Ideguchi Yoshio, 88, looked on after sharing his views and memories of the war, while reporters turned to his fellow veteran from the other side of the battlefield 70 years ago, 88-year-old American Robert A. Burke. With nothing but praise and respect for each other today, Yoshio and Burke sat beside each other yesterday on the same tiny Pacific island they tried to defend when they were still 18 to 19 years old, at yesterday’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian.

World War II veterans are honored in an official ceremony as part of the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian at the American Memorial Park on June 15. Seen in the photo are veterans Carl Mathews, second from left, Raymond Russel Kelly, third from left, and Howard Johnson, fourth from left, attending the ceremony. (Jayson Camacho)

Saipan was thrust into the global spotlight once again yesterday on the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the June 15 to July 9, 1944, Battle of Saipan, a part of the Pacific campaign of World War II.

Throughout the years, many of those who fought on Saipan and Tinian had passed on or are now in their twilight years, but Gov. Eloy S. Inos said yesterday the CNMI is happy to welcome back those who were able to join the commemoration ceremonies.

“We shouldn’t endure a war again,” Ideguchi told Saipan Tribune at the ceremony yesterday.

Ideguchi, who first arrived on Saipan in 1944 as a teenager, is among the last Japanese to have been caught by American forces. He lived in the jungles long after the Battle of Saipan had been won and long after Captain Oba had surrendered.

“I saw so many of my friends, fellow Japanese killed in the war,” he said, with the help of another Japanese translating his words.

In another interview as he was about to leave the ceremony grounds, Ideguchi was almost in tears as he remembers seeing and hearing his fellow Japanese soldiers saying “Okaasan” or “mother” before committing suicide.

Since the war, he’s visited Saipan over 30 times. He’s hoping that this won’t be his last time to visit the island where thousands of Japanese and American soldiers, along with civilians of different nationalities, perished during the war.

Burke, for his part, said he’s thrilled to be invited to come back to Saipan 70 years after the war.

“I’m just real happy with the way things turned out—full of victory and peace and love for everybody. This just proves that the world can get along, so I love it,” he said.

Burke first came to Saipan in April 1945. During World War II, he was a U.S. Navy combat photographer, generator mechanic, and electrician.

Burke’s son, James Robert Burke, 60, currently oversees the Kagman High School JROTC and has been a longtime resident of Saipan.

The younger Burke said he didn’t know his father fought on Saipan during the war until months after he was already working at Marianas High School’s JROTC several years back.

Miwa Kuriyama, granddaughter of another WW II Japanese veteran, Torazo Kuriyama, said she started visiting Saipan five years ago based on her grandfather’s stories.

She narrated how her grandfather was saved by American forces he was fighting against during the war. Her grandfather fell in the water and was found by about 20 American soldiers who pointed a gun at him. She said her grandfather told the U.S. soldiers that if they wanted to shoot him, “shoot my heart.” But the American soldiers dropped their gun, offered him water, fed him, and treated his wound.

“Even when he was in the camp, they treated him nicely. They said, ‘you fought very well for your country. Don’t be ashamed,’” said Ms. Kuriyama.

Another WW II American veteran, Howard Johnson Sr., from Tallahasse, Florida, said when he was 17 years old, the slogan in his hometown was “patriotism.” Seventy years after serving during the war, Johnson said he still believes in patriotism and in serving in defense of one’s country.

It was his first return to Saipan 70 years since the war. He was here from Sept. 5, 1946, to July 5, 1947.

“When I [first] got here, I saw a war-ravished island. There was beauty here but also lots of sad scenes. Since that time, I cannot believe the progress that the people of Saipan have made to make this a modern resort island. It’s beautiful,” he said.

For decades, Japan has remained the biggest tourism market for the CNMI.

Japanese WW II veteran Teruki Okaziki was also rescued by American soldiers during the war after he was seriously injured.

This is his 39th return to Saipan to give respect and continue to honor those who perished on the island during the war. He said he will continue his visits to Saipan as long as he can.

After Okaziki, American WW II veteran Carl Mathews, from Cedar Hill, Texas, stood up from his wheelchair, waved his hand, and said, “Thank you” to Okaziki.

Mathews was among the first wave of U.S. Marines to storm the beaches of Saipan. He was also on Saipan for the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian.

“I love this island. This is my fourth time to be here,” he said. “I would never forget that day [in 1944] for I lost a great friend I had; he was my lieutenant.”

Mathews also asked the crowd for a moment of silence to also honor the indigenous people of the Northern Marianas who fought alongside U.S. forces during the war.

Burke, during his turn to speak before a crowd, said years after the bitter war, Japan became America’s ally, and Saipan has since been at peace. He hopes this peace will live on forever.

“So to the Japanese soldiers that are here, I love you. I think you’re terrific and the United States family loves you, so peace to all, peace and goodwill,” he added.

Raymond Russell Kelly, another American WW II veteran who served on Tinian, said in his view, the main reason people were gathered yesterday is because of the people who had perished during the war.

“I’m here today because of what they did, because they defended, they took care of me and I made it after 35 missions but [not everyone] did. Some people didn’t make it and I remember them, and we have to remember them. And that’s very important,” he said.

Kelly served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He brought four of his children for this year’s 70th anniversary of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian “because I want them to see where I fought.”