Shannon Stirnweis (American, B. 1931) "U.S. Marines Land on Saipan" Signed middle right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. The upper portion of this painting originally appeared as the cachet on the First Day Cover of the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c U.S. Marines Land on Saipan 1944 stamp issued June 15, 1994. The lower portion of this painting appeared as the stamp itself. The U.S. wanted Saipan, in the Marianas, as an advance base from which B-29 bombers could strike Japan's home islands. On June 15, 1944, hundreds of U.S. planes and warships bombarded the beaches. It took only 20 minutes for 8,000 Marines from the 2nd and 4th Divisions, commanded by Lieutenant General Holland M. "Howling Mad" Smith, to land. Although the Japanese fought back with fanatical banzai attacks, thousands more U.S. Marines were ashore by nightfall. On June 16, reinforcements from the Army's 27th Division were called in. By June 20, the remaining Japanese troops were trapped, but their defensive positions in caves and hills made progress over the next two weeks difficult. On July 9, Saipan was finally declared secured. Image Size: 25.75 x 16.75 in. Overall Size: 28.75 x 18.75 in. Unframed. (B14720)