When 4,000 Japanese Charged His Battalion — He Grabbed 2 Pistols and Refused to Leave

A battalion commander with a pistol in each hand — walking upright into the largest banzai charge of the entire Pacific War. Saipan, summer of 1944. Lieutenant Colonel William O'Brien had already done things most officers would never attempt once. He climbed onto an American tank that was firing on his own men — in full view of the enemy. He crossed 1,200 yards of sniper-infested jungle completely alone. Each time, he had every reason to stay behind the lines. Each time, he went forward. Then, before dawn on July 7th, between three and five thousand Japanese soldiers charged straight at his eleven hundred men. The line broke. Communications collapsed. And O'Brien made a choice that would define the 105th Infantry Regiment forever. Three men from the same regiment were put forward for the Medal of Honor after that morning. The story of how they earned it is not one you forget easily. Subscribe for forgotten WW2 stories ▶️    / @ww2dispatchh   Like if you think this story deserves to be remembered. Comment below — where are you watching from? #worldwar2 #ww2 #militaryhistory #ww2stories #ww2dispatch