From: The Commanding General.
To: The Commanding General, 6th Marine Division.
Subject: Services rendered by personnel of 1st Battalion, 29th
Marines.
1. I wish to express my appreciation of the heroic part played by the
officers and men of the 1st Battalion, 29th Marines (Reinf), while
attached to the 2d Marine Division, in the defeat of the Japanese forces
on Saipan.
2. This battalion landed on the Japanese base of Saipan, Marianas
Islands, on D-day, 15 June 1944, and immediately upon landing was
attached to CT-8 and subsequently committed to front-line action on the
original beachhead. For a period of twenty days until the zone of action
of this division was completely secured, it occupied front-line
positions, participating in attacks against most determined resistance
over the most difficult terrain the island offered. During this entire
period, due to tactical considerations and the nature of enemy
resistance, it was at no time relieved from its front-line positions. In
its advance over very difficult terrain, including the main ridge of
Mount Tapotchau, the commanding terrain feature of the island, it
successfully repulsed numerous counter-attacks and overcame many pockets
of inordinately tenacious enemy resistance, including heavy machine gun
and mortar fire.
3. In its advance it suffered very heavy casualties. Despite these
losses, this battalion continued its attacks and advances with unabating
vigor and persistence.
4. It has been a pleasure to have under my command these officers and
men who were of inestimable value to the success of the operation as a
part of the 2d Marine Division, Reinforced. The parent organization of
the 1st Battalion, 29th Marines can well be proud of the accomplishments
of this battalion during the Saipan operation.
/s/ T. E. Watson
T. E. WATSON