U.S. Air Force B-29 bombers taxiing in formation before takeoff at West Field. 1945 Photo: US Air Force
The Municipality of Tinian and Aguiguan, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) has been designated as an American World War II Heritage City, the National Park Service has announced.
The recognition honours the contributions of American towns, cities, counties, and their citizens, who played a significant role in supporting America's war effort during World War II.
The island of Tinian was occupied by Japanese forces during the Second World War up until August 1944 when the United States liberated the Mariana Islands.
The US Navy immediately began building runways and infrastructure at the island's West Field and North Field.
At the time, North Field was the largest airfield in the world.
From North Field, B-29 Super Fortress bombers conducted raids on the Japanese Home Islands, and it was from this airbase that the US Air Force's 509th Composite Group planes Enola Gay and Bockscar left to drop the first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
These events, along with another large air raid on Japan, brought the war to a close on 2 September 1945.
Since the end of the war, the people of Tinian have continued to protect and actively preserve their World War II runways, buildings, landing beaches, and other associated sites through ongoing maintenance, interpretation, and commemorative and remembrance ceremonies.
In addition, many of the sites on Tinian associated with World War II are part of the Tinian Landing Beaches, Ushi Point, and North Field National Historic Landmark District.
The Tinian and Aguiguan Municipality is among seven newly designated jurisdictions to join the 30 other localities already recognized.
The American World War II Heritage Cities Program was established by Congress in 2019 through the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act - allowing the Secretary of the Interior to designate one city from each state and territory as an "American World War II Heritage City" to recognize noteworthy contributions of local communities during World War II.
The National Parks Service also designated seven other jurisdictions as American World War II Heritage Cities:
- Calhoun and Ouachita Counties, Arkansas
- Plymouth Township, Michigan
- Valley City, North Dakota
- Ponca City and Kay County, Oklahoma
- North Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Sumter City and County, South Carolina
- Ogden, Utah
National Park Service director Chuck Sams said World War II not only impacted those who went to war, but "also those who carried on the life and work of the home front".
"It's important we remember that cities and towns both big and small made major contributions at home to the war effort, all of which helped Allied forces defeat the Axis powers."
Only one American World War II Heritage City can be designated in each state or territory.