The US Saipan Expeditionary Force has turned north and is prepared to attack with all three divisions on line. The Army 27th Infantry Division is in the center tasked to clear out Death Valley, the most rugged and well-defended route. There are steep cliffs on the west side of the valley and a long high ridge (Purple Heart Ridge) along the east boundary. The Japanese are dug into the area with artillery, armor, mortars and machineguns. You are a flight leader in the 318th Fighter Group at Aslito Field and you are about to take off on a Close Air Support mission.
