American Memorial Park - Saipan
Location / Visiting the Park
American Memorial Park honors the American and Marianas people who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. Over 5000 names are inscribed on a memorial which was dedicated June 15, 1994, during the 50th anniversary of the Invasion of Saipan. The Memorial rests at the park's Court of Honor and Flag Circle, where the U.S. flag proudly flies 24 hours a day, surrounded by the flags of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. As a "living memorial", the park offers activities, such as baseball, bicycling, running, tennis, picnicking, and swimming, enjoyed over half a century ago by American service men and women. Within the 133-acre boundary are beaches, sports fields, picnic sites, boat marinas, playgrounds, walkways, and a 30-acre wetland and mangrove forest.
Under Public Law 94-241, the “Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America” set aside land at Tanapag Harbor to be administered by the National Park Service.
As Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service, wrote in her message to the 60th Anniversary of the World War II Battles for Saipan and Tinian participants:
“Those of us who wear the uniform of the National Park Service are proud to preserve the history of the Marianas Campaign and the defense of Saipan and Tinian and the history of the Pacific theatre of operations in World War II. We are proud to play a part in telling the world of the immeasurable contributions made by military personnel and civilians who served in the defense of this strategic location; many making the ultimate sacrifice.
“On behalf of the men and women of the National Park Service, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for all that you did to preserve our freedom. Many of you struggled ashore amid a hail of bullets or provided air support or support from the sea. Many others operated civilian defenses or worked behind the scenes and risked your lives to defend your homeland. To all of you, we say thank you.”
