07JUL1944: Serving as a regimental dentist during the deadly Battle of Saipan, CPT Ben Salomon was tending to wounded Soldiers when the Japanese launched the largest suicide attack of the war. At dawn, 4,000 enemy fighters charged forward in a last ditch effort to stop the American advance. The large force surged through the American lines and engaging in fierce hand to hand combat. With his aid station a bit behind the front lines, CPT Salomon quickly saw men coming his way for treatment. As he was working on the casualties, Salomon looked up to see a Japanese soldier in the tent bayoneting the wounded Americans. Picking up a weapon, Salomon shot the man dead then went back to treating his patients. Shortly after, enemy soldiers began crawling under the tent. CPT Salomon noticed and repelled their assault before ordering the wounded, at least those who could, to evacuate the aid station. As the wounded began to move, Salomon stood his ground to cover their movement. Seeing a nearby machine gun crew that had just been killed, CPT Salomon got behind the weapon system and opened up on the attacking Japanese. Later that morning, the attack died down and the Americans rebuilt their lines. CPT Salomon was found at the machine gun position, with 98 dead enemy soldiers laid out in front of him. For his valiant effort in holding the enemy at bay, CPT Ben Salomon would be awarded, posthumously, the Medal of Honor. Salomon is one of only three dental officers to have received the award.

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