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.
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Fight to survive – and liberate themselves. So near, yet so far. In July 1944, the ships of the US Navy could be seen off the coast of Malesso’/Merizo, almost as close as the waves rushing over the reefs that fringe the southern village. For Juan Atoigue Cruz, just 16 years old then, those ships were the stuff of dreams.
Nightmare in Malesso’ at War’s End Read Post »
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 »
Mess attendants in the US Navy. The first CHamoru casualties of World War II occurred in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941, just hours before Guam was attacked by air.
CHamorus Die in Pearl Harbor Bombing Read Post »
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.
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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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
CHagui’an Memorial, Yigo. The CHagui’an Memorial site, on the north-central plateau of Guam, is where the largest known single act of violence on Guam occurred, just at the end of World War II. Among the thousands of CHamorus held at the Manenggon concentration camp, 45 men were taken and forced to carry supplies to an Imperial Japanese Army command post at Milalak near CHagui’an, Yigo. They were killed by the Japanese to prevent them from providing information to the Americans.
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