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The American Marines and Japanese forces engaged in a heated dispute over the landing beaches for the American amphibious assault on Tinian, a tropical paradise in the Northern Marianas. The island was taken over by the Japanese in 1914 for agricultural use and was later reinforced as an American air base for Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers. The American forces, led by Lt. Gen. Holland M. Smith, focused on taking Tinian, which was held by nine thousand Japanese soldiers. However, a disagreement arose over the choice of landing beaches. The Amphibious Reconnaissance Company, led by Captain James L. Jones, settled the dispute, and the company was enlarged into a two-company battalion at the request of Lt. Gen. Smith. The battle between the American and Japanese forces was a pivotal moment in the Pacific War, shaping the course of the war and the formation of the United States Marine Corps.
The VAC Amphibious survey Battalion, under Major James L. Jones, conducted a nighttime survey of the beaches of Tinian, aiming to identify obstacles, measure cliffs, and determine the features of the off-lying reef. The battalion leaders boarded USS Gilmer (APD-11) and cruised the western coast of Tinian. The reconnaissance involved ten black neoprene rubber landing craft (LCRs) launched by the APD, and the Marines conducted reconnaissance on Yellow Beach. The reconnaissance was conducted secretly, with no mines or obstacles disturbed. The landing was planned at White Beaches 1 and 2, based on reconnaissance reports from Task Force 52's commander. Two teams were formed, one for White Beach 1 and another for White Beach 2. The Marines disembarked from Gilmer, but the White Beach 1 unit never made it ashore after landing on a coral protrusion.

Marines and UDT swimmers surveyed White Beach 1 and 2 for potential Japanese activity. The recon Marines found no barriers on the beach and no signs of Japanese activity after coming ashore. The UDT surveyed the ocean and reef in front of the shoreline while the Marines worked the beach. The reconnaissance battalion and underwater demolition team performed a thorough reconnaissance of the surf conditions, reef, beach, and flanks.

Vice Admiral Turner rejected Rear Admiral Hill's proposal to go to the beach, but Admiral Spruance summoned a meeting of main commanders to discuss the landing plan. The 4th Marine Division successfully crossed the White Beaches and suffered few casualties, while the 2nd Marine Division landed over the same beaches the following day. The 4th Division's battalions were severely understrength due to their depletion in Saipan, resulting in a decrease of more than 35 percent in their average strength. The morale of the troops committed to the Tinian operation was generally high, as they had recently emerged from a grueling 25-day battle and were scheduled to assault enemy-held coastlines again after a mere two-week break.

The American Marines, under the command of Maj. Gen. Harry Schmidt, were tasked with seizing the island of Tinian in ten days. They launched a massive naval bombardment to disorient the Japanese and ease their nervousness. The most damaged town was Tinian Town, where the Japanese retaliated with 22 hits on the Colorado. The 4th Marine Division, known as the assault division, landed on the narrow beaches, preparing to land in columns of companies, platoons, and squads. The Japanese 50th Infantry Regiment and 56th Naval Guard Force were forced to take up positions around Tinian Town. Despite facing intermittent artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire, the Marines continued to advance, eventually securing the island.

On Jig Day, the American Marines formed a crescent-shaped beachhead along the seashore, with the 23rd Marine Regiment facing difficulties due to communication issues. The American Marines had over fifteen thousand Marines on the ground, with the 24th Marines occupying the northern part of the defensive crescent. The Japanese were renowned for their perseverance, and the commanders in America knew they would face opposition. The Japanese Mobile Counterattack Force, a 900-man battalion of the 135th Infantry Regiment, launched a counterattack, causing significant damage to the American Marines. The Marines alerted the artillery when they noticed advance forces, but the Japanese advanced through the 1,500 yards to the beach area. The two Marines were discovered dead, with 251 Japanese corpses arranged in front of them.

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