After the island of Saipan had been secured by our forces we were allowed to go ashore on liberty. Saipan had been well covered in the US press for its notorious "suicide cliff". This is the infamous cliff where many Japanese civilians jumped to their deaths as the American forces advanced. The mountainous terrain also contained many caves and tunnels leading into the mountain.

A group of us decided to climb to "suicide cliff". When we reached the cliff area we noted the many caves and tunnels in which Japs could still be hiding. The Japs had a habit of continuing to hide and fight even after the island or atoll was taken by our forces. We decided to leave the area immediately. On the way down the hill we noticed many Japanese booby traps... "souvenirs" left for the Americans such as hand grenades with the pin removed and propped against a tree or rock. I found and brought home a Japanese water canteen with a bullet hole that I found on the way back to the beach.

Written by Robert J. Serazin, Lt. (jg)
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