Skip to content

Author name: Shannon Murphy

Historic Eras of Guam, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII, WWII/Japanese Era

Comfort Women on Guam

 

5 houses selected. The Japanese government, besides its troops, also dispatched “comfort women” or sex workers to Guam. Five homes were selected to house the women; three in Hagåtña, one in Anigua, and one in Sasa, a farming area near Piti. The establishment of these ‘comfort stations’ otherwise referred to as i gima ka’ku (the house of sex) during the war was justified as a means of discouraging soldiers from raping women. Many of the women were promised benefits like food, money, medicine, and protection for themselves and their families in exchange for their services.

Comfort Women on Guam Read Post »

Historic Eras of Guam, US Naval Era, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII, WWII/Japanese Era

Guam Insular Guard

 

Young CHamorus recruited by the Navy to defend Guam. The Japanese forces who invaded Guam 10 December 1941 were fully prepared for the undertaking. Since mid-October, the Japanese 18th Air Unit, a small force of reconnaissance seaplanes, had conducted survey flights over and near Guam. By November, the unit was flying secret photo reconnaissance missions of the island at altitudes of 3,000 meters or higher.

Guam Insular Guard Read Post »

Historic Eras of Guam, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII, WWII/Japanese Era

CHamorus Forced into War Effort

 

Land clearing, construction and much more. By early 1944, the CHamorus were mere tools to be utilized by the Japanese forces without regard to their safety or well-being. Most of the men were used to clear the land at either of the two operational air strips at Orote and Jalaguac (also spelled Kalaguac), or at one being developed at Ague, Dededo in the northeastern corner of the island.

CHamorus Forced into War Effort Read Post »

Art, Architecture, Body Adornment, Music and Food, Creative Expression, Historic Eras of Guam, Island Life, Music, People and Places, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII, WWII/Japanese Era

Song of Hope, Song of Faith

 

Ditty urged the Americans to return. I used to listen lo my auntie’s stories about the invasion, occupation, liberation and other things concerning the Japanese on Guam back then. She told me all about the “Uncle Sam” song and used to sing different versions of it, all the while a smile upon her face.

Song of Hope, Song of Faith Read Post »

CHamoru Quest for Self-Determination, Civic Society, Historic Eras of Guam, Interpretive Essays, Politics and Government, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII, WWII/Japanese Era

CHamorus Yearn for Freedom

 

Interpretive essay: WWII made indelible impact on CHamorus. To this day, whenever we speak of the period before the “war” and after the “war” we invariably mean World War II. We do this almost subconsciously despite that sons and daughters of Guam have been involved in other wars since World War II: in Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. The invasion, occupation and eventual liberation of Guam made such an indelible impact on our people that it is likely to serve as the benchmark, the road junction, and the springboard for what we do for many, many years to come.

CHamorus Yearn for Freedom Read Post »

Historic Eras of Guam, Island Life, Modern Guam Rises, People and Places, Post WWII Era, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII

Liberation Day Queen Contest

 

History of Liberation Queen Competition. While there were Liberation Day commemorations since 1945 the first Liberation Day queen contest wasn’t held until 1948. Beatrice Blas Calvo Perez was the first Liberation Day Queen of Guam. The winner was declared based on ticket sales, just as it is today.

Liberation Day Queen Contest Read Post »

Historic Eras of Guam, Modern Guam Rises, Post WWII Era, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII

Rebuilding from the Destruction of War

 

Post War Guam. The atrocities of World War II had a major impact on the CHamoru people. They had suffered much under Japanese rule and, therefore, were largely appreciative and loyal to the Americans for their liberation from the Japanese. However, after the war, many CHamorus were displaced from their ranches and residences.

Rebuilding from the Destruction of War Read Post »

Historic Eras of Guam, People, People and Places, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII, WWII Survivor Stories, WWII/Japanese Era

War Survivor: Jesus Camacho Babauta

 

Survived by his wits. When the Japanese invaded Guam in 1941 Jesus Camacho Babauta, from Sumai, was just shy of 13 years old. Life in Sumai had always been peaceful for young Babauta. There was an abundance of lemmai (breadfruit), mango, papaya, banana, and other fruit trees as well as vegetables grown at the låncho (ranch). They fished and hunted for their food. He lived with his parents, Antonio Rivera Babauta and Maria Taitano Camacho, and his six siblings.

War Survivor: Jesus Camacho Babauta Read Post »

Historic Eras of Guam, People, People and Places, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII, WWII Survivor Stories, WWII/Japanese Era

War Survivor: Cynthia Tenorio Terlaje

 

Left behind due to illness. Cynthia Tenorio Terlaje (1935 – ) and her family were making their way out of Manenggon at the end of the Japanese occupation of Guam. However, Terlaje grew gravely ill with a virus that rendered her unable to travel and keep up with everyone on foot. Her parents feared for the entire family; they were worried that the Japanese would find them. Because of this fear, the family left Terlaje behind in a cave.

War Survivor: Cynthia Tenorio Terlaje Read Post »

Scroll to Top