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U.S. Navy Sailors aboard a Landing Craft Vehicle personnel boat is lowered over the side of the Tarawa Class Amphibious Assault Ship USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) during operations in the Gulf of Aden on Sept. 6, 2006. SAIPAN is currently underway conducting maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication SPECIALIST SEAMAN McKinley Cartwright) (Released)

Port bow view of the US Navy (USN) TARAWA CLASS: Amphibious Assault Ship USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) underway off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA)

KITKUN BAY - VC 5 ACA Rep #2 – Rep of Rocket Bombing & Strafing of Beaches on Southwest Coast of Saipan Is, Marianas, on 6/14/44

Northern Mariana Islands, abandoned weapons at former Japanese command post on Saipan Island

When Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan in August 2015, it affected more than just its human residents--the Saipan Zoo was also heavily impacted. None of the animals were hurt, but the facilities were damaged, and because the zoo is a private, for-profit organization, it was not eligible for FEMA assistance. Forced to close the zoo for safety reasons, owner Frank Aldan set up a GoFundMe account on Facebook to seek additional funds to make the necessary repairs. Through this effort, several of our team members found out about Frank's dilemma and volunteered their time to help him reopen the zoo. Since mid-August, FEMA volunteers have sent their Saturdays clearing debris, cutting trees and providing food to help the zoo recover. One of the largest trees on the island was on the zoo's property, and the typhoon blew it over. Here, FEMA's Stephen DeBlasio cuts a segment of the tree with a chainsaw while Ryan Brown looks on.

COM SAIPAN ISLAND - War Diary, 7/1-31/45

[Chamorro people performing traditional dance, Saipan]

World War II – Saipan