During World War II, dental health was crucial for soldiers, as they needed to focus on battle without being distracted by toothaches. This important role was assigned to Ben L. Solomon, a dentist in the U.S. Army. Born in 1914 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Solomon had a happy childhood and was actively involved in the Boy Scouts. After graduating from dental school in 1937, he started a successful dental practice in Los Angeles. However, in 1940, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as America prepared for war.
Initially, Solomon was assigned to the infantry, where he became an expert in small arms weaponry. However, he was soon transferred to the Army Dental Corps and commissioned as a first lieutenant. By 1944, he had risen to the rank of captain and was assigned to the 27th Infantry Division, known as “Orion’s Roughnecks.”
In June 1944, Solomon’s division was sent to Pearl Harbor to join a large U.S. invasion force heading for the Japanese-held Mariana Islands. Capturing these islands was strategically important for the U.S. as it would allow B-29 Superfortress bombers to be stationed within range of Japan.
On June 15th, after a massive U.S. naval bombardment, 8,000 Marines landed on Saipan, one of the key islands in the Mariana group. The Japanese were well-prepared, with numerous defenses in place. Despite this, U.S. forces secured a beachhead and continued to advance.
Over the next few weeks, both sides suffered heavy casualties, often engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat. With U.S. casualties mounting, Solomon volunteered to move to the front line to replace a wounded battalion surgeon. On July 7th, as the battle was nearing its end, Solomon was supervising a forward aid station at the edge of the front line when the enemy launched a major counter-attack.
In a desperate attempt to push the Americans back, 5,000 Japanese soldiers charged forward. The Americans were caught by surprise, and the Japanese broke through the forward perimeter, threatening to overrun the sector. Despite the danger, Solomon stayed at his post, attending to the growing number of wounded.
As the situation worsened, Solomon saw Japanese soldiers attacking helpless wounded patients outside the medical tent. Without hesitation, he grabbed a nearby rifle and defended his patients. When more enemy soldiers stormed the tent, he fought them off, using both his rifle and his own bayonet.
Realizing the situation was becoming hopeless, Solomon ordered the evacuation of the station while he chose to stay behind to cover their retreat. He manned an abandoned heavy machine gun, firing into the advancing enemy troops. He sacrificed his life so others could escape.
When the U.S. Army retook the station days later, Solomon’s body was found surrounded by 98 dead Japanese soldiers. It is said that he had been shot 24 times before succumbing to his wounds. He was just 29 years old at the time of his death.
During the intense fighting on Saipan, there were around 43,000 American and Japanese casualties, along with 22,000 civilians who lost their lives. Many Japanese soldiers and civilians committed suicide rather than face the shame of surrendering.
Solomon’s heroism and sacrifice were not fully recognized until 2002, nearly 60 years after his death, when he was awarded America’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. The delay in recognition was due to a misinterpretation of the Geneva Convention, which stated that military medical personnel cannot use weapons in battle. However, Solomon’s actions were clearly in defense of himself and his men.
Research more about Ben L. Solomon’s life and his contributions during World War II. Create a presentation to share with your classmates, highlighting his journey from a dentist to a war hero. Focus on his bravery and the impact of his actions during the Battle of Saipan.
Participate in a role-playing activity where you reenact key moments from the Battle of Saipan. Take on different roles, such as soldiers, medics, and civilians, to understand the challenges faced by each group. Discuss how these experiences might have felt and the decisions they had to make.
Engage in a debate about the ethical considerations of medical personnel using weapons in war. Discuss the Geneva Convention’s rules and whether exceptions should be made in situations like Solomon’s. Consider both sides of the argument and present your viewpoints.
Create a timeline of significant events during World War II, including the Battle of Saipan. Work in groups to research different events and add them to the timeline. Present your findings to the class, explaining the strategic importance of each event.
Write a letter from the perspective of Ben L. Solomon to a family member or friend. Describe his experiences during the Battle of Saipan, his thoughts on the war, and his feelings about his role as both a dentist and a soldier. Share your letter with the class.
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Now, let’s talk about a remarkable individual: the dentist who fought an entire Japanese charge single-handedly during World War II. Dental health is crucial for soldiers, as they need to concentrate in battle without being distracted by toothaches. This role was assigned to Ben L. Solomon, a dentist in the U.S. Army. Born in 1914 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Solomon had a happy childhood and was heavily involved in the Boy Scouts. After graduating from dental school in 1937, he set up a successful dental practice in Los Angeles. However, in 1940, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as America prepared for war.
Initially assigned to the infantry, he qualified as an expert in small arms weaponry but was quickly transferred to the Army Dental Corps and commissioned as a first lieutenant. By 1944, he had risen to the rank of captain and was assigned to the 27th Infantry Division, nicknamed the “Orion’s Roughnecks.”
In June 1944, Solomon was about to experience combat for the first time when his division was transferred to Pearl Harbor to join a large U.S. amphibious invasion force heading for the Japanese-held Mariana Islands. Capturing these islands was strategically important for the U.S. as it would allow B-29 Superfortress bombers to be stationed within range of the Japanese mainland.
On June 15th, after a massive U.S. naval bombardment, 8,000 Marines landed ashore at Saipan, one of the most important islands in the Mariana group. The Japanese were well-prepared, with numerous defenses in place. Despite this, U.S. forces secured a beachhead and continued to pour ashore.
Over the next few weeks, heavy casualties were sustained on both sides, often resulting in brutal hand-to-hand combat. With U.S. casualties mounting, Solomon volunteered to move to the front line to replace a wounded battalion surgeon. On July 7th, as the battle was nearing its end, Solomon found himself supervising a forward aid station at the edge of the front line when the enemy launched a major counter-attack.
In a desperate attempt to push the Americans back, 5,000 Japanese soldiers charged forward. The Americans were caught by surprise, and the Japanese broke through the forward perimeter, threatening to overrun the sector. Despite the danger, Solomon stayed at his post, attending to the growing number of wounded.
As the situation worsened, Solomon witnessed Japanese soldiers attacking helpless wounded patients outside the medical tent. Without hesitation, he grabbed a nearby rifle and defended his patients. When more enemy soldiers stormed the tent, he fought them off, using both his rifle and his own bayonet.
Realizing the situation was becoming hopeless, Solomon ordered the evacuation of the station while he chose to stay behind to cover their retreat. He manned an abandoned heavy machine gun, firing into the advancing enemy troops. He sacrificed his life so others could escape.
When the U.S. Army retook the station days later, Solomon’s body was found surrounded by 98 dead Japanese soldiers. It is said that he had been shot 24 times before succumbing to his wounds. He was just 29 years old at the time of his death.
During the intense fighting on Saipan, there were around 43,000 American and Japanese casualties, along with 22,000 civilians who lost their lives. Many Japanese soldiers and civilians committed suicide rather than face the shame of surrendering.
Solomon’s heroism and sacrifice were not fully recognized until 2002, nearly 60 years after his death, when he was awarded America’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. The delay in recognition was due to a misinterpretation of the Geneva Convention, which stated that military medical personnel cannot use weapons in battle. However, Solomon’s actions were clearly in defense of himself and his men.
Dentist – A medical professional who specializes in the care of teeth and gums. – During World War II, military dentists played a crucial role in maintaining soldiers’ dental health to ensure they were fit for duty.
Soldier – A person who serves in an army and is trained to fight in battles. – The soldier bravely advanced across the battlefield, following orders to secure the strategic position.
Battle – A military fight between groups, often part of a larger war. – The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the American Civil War, with significant losses on both sides.
Saipan – An island in the Pacific Ocean that was the site of a major World War II battle between American and Japanese forces. – The Battle of Saipan was a pivotal moment in the Pacific campaign, leading to the capture of the island by Allied forces.
Casualties – People who are killed, wounded, or missing in a war or battle. – The high number of casualties in the battle shocked the nation and underscored the war’s brutality.
Japanese – Relating to Japan or its people, language, or culture. – During World War II, Japanese forces were known for their fierce resistance and strategic military tactics.
Honor – High respect or esteem; a sense of what is right and proper. – The soldier received a medal of honor for his courageous actions during the conflict.
Bravery – Courageous behavior or character, especially in the face of danger. – The bravery of the troops during the D-Day invasion was instrumental in the success of the Allied forces.
Infantry – Soldiers who fight on foot, often forming the main part of an army. – The infantry advanced through the dense forest, carefully navigating the enemy’s defenses.
Army – A large organized group of soldiers trained for war, especially on land. – The Roman army was known for its discipline and innovative tactics, which helped it conquer vast territories.
