This is CBS I on the world with John Bachelor.

Here's John Bachelor.

To Saipad, the Northern Marianas, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,

on the eve of celebrating an extremely important memory.

80 years since the U.S. Marines and Army and Navy

challenged the Imperial Japanese Army on Saipan

in June of 1944, simultaneous with the

landings in France. We're looking at a battle that was fought critical to the success of the United States Navy and Marine Corps

to defeat the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy.

Cleo Pascal, the Foundation for the Defensive democracies is on Saipan, outside of Garipan, the capital,

and looking to ceremonies that will begin in the morning of the 15th Mariana's time.

Cleo, a very good evening to you in Garipan.

The ceremony will take place at Green Beach too.

You've been to Saipan before, you've talked about Garipan,

you've talked about Tinian.

What is significant about these events?

How is it being regarded by the citizens of Saipan?

Good day to you.

Yeah, good day.

It is a very touching honor to be able to be here

for the 80th anniversary. This was a horrific battle. They all are,

but this one was complicated by very large civilian populations and the Marines had to deal with

...