Profiles, villages, and island life
A war baby. Antonio Adriano Arriola (1944 – ) was born a twin just a few months before the forced march to Manenggon in June. His parents, Antonio Fernandez and Maria Adriano Arriola, carried he and his twin sister, Maria, during the Manenggon march.
War Survivor: Antonio Adriano Arriola Read Post »
Lost family members but found her faith. The encroachment of the Second World War in the Pacific forever changed the lives of the CHamorus. Within the first few days of Japanese occupation, Ana Sablan Palomo (1927 – ) lost many members of her family, but found her faith.
War Survivor: Ana Sablan Palomo Read Post »
A tale best told together. Vicente (“Ben”) Gogue Arceo and Jesusa (“Susie”) Reyes Arceo are no strangers to the senior citizen community on Guam. They are part of a musical group that provides dance music to entertain Guam’s manåmko’ at the senior centers. But to know them is to know that they do not do things apart; thus, their memories of World War II will be told together in this tale of survival.
War Survivor: Vicente and Jesusa Arceo Read Post »
These American and Japanese men led the battle for Guam in 1944. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, US Navy. Lt. General Takeshi Takashina, Imperial Japanese Army.
WWII Profiles of Officers in Command Read Post »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Altar server at war’s beginning. Fidel Toves Blas, (1932 – 2019) known to family and friends as “Dek,” was born in Hagåtña. His parents Concepcion Lujan Toves (Familian Capili) and Atanacio Albino Blas (Familian Haniu) had 12 children, and Dek was their third-born child.
War Survivor: Fidel Toves Blas Read Post »
Moved to CHagui’an Yigo. When they learned of the Japanese bombing at Sumai on 8 December 1941, many CHamorus hurried to hide. For most, it was several miles to safety, but for Rosario “Charo” Flores Leon Guerrero (1920 – ), it was just a walk two miles northwest from her home to a well-built and furnished family ranch at CHagui’an, Yigo.
War Survivor: Rosario Flores Leon Guerrero Read Post »
