The 74th Anniversary Tour | December 5-14, 2015 | $6,990 Wake Island, Pearl Harbor & GUAM While Japanese planes bombed and strafed the military and civilian settlements in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, their naval and air forces struck the American military installations on Wake Island. This culminated in a battle that lasted until December 23. After an heroic defense the American forces were compelled to surrender to a reinforced Japanese attack that included a landing of 2,500 infantry.
Day 1 – December 5 - Hawaii Our tour will begin with a Welcome Reception and Dinner at our hotel in Hawaii. You will get a chance to meet our historian and other tour guests. (Please call us about flights from your home city to Hawaii.)
Days 2 & 3 – December 6,7 - Hawaii Ford Island is the centerpiece of the Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark District and adjacent to Battleship Row. The original airfield, air tower, WWII hangars, a collection of bungalows and officers’ housing remain on the site. While on Ford Island, we will visit the Pacific Aviation Museum and the USS Missouri.
www.stephenambrosetours.com | 888-903-3329 | [email protected] Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor occupies World War II-era hangars that still bear the scars of our nation’s first aviation “A detachment of marines battlefield. The museum houses many was sent in, along with some examples of WWII aircraft and exhibits relating the stories of these planes. 1,200 civilian construction workers under contract The USS Missouri was part of the force that supported bombing raids over Tokyo and to the government. These provided firepower in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. During the war’s final month, the “Mighty Mo” served as Admiral William fellows who showed their “Bull” Halsey’s flagship for the Pacific Third mettle when the big test Fleet. The Missouri secured its place in history as the site of Japan’s unconditional surrender came.” to the Allied Forces on Sept. 2, 1945, ending World War II. – Lt. Col. Walter L.J. Bayler The next morning begins at Battleship Row, home to the USS Arizona Memorial. The memorial is built over the remains of the We will also visit the Memorial Cemetery sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final of the Pacific and the Honolulu Memorial, resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen referred to as the Punchbowl, which is killed on December 7, 1941. The loss of life located in Puowaina Crater. Roughly on this “Day of Infamy” became the focal translated, “Puowaina” means “Hill of point for a nation that was previously divided Sacrifice.” Stunning battle maps are displayed over the issue of involvement in the war. at the memorial, and here our historian will give us an overview of the entire Pacific War.
Day 4 – December 8/9 – Hawaii to Guam This morning we go to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, which combines two historic bases – Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Hickam Air Force Base – into a single joint installation to support both Air Force and Navy missions. After our exclusive tour of the base and lunch at the Officers’ Club, we will visit Hospital Point and see the memorial honoring the 60 killed and 109 wounded on the USS Nevada and the Submarine Museum and Park.
In the afternoon we depart in the afternoon for the group flight to Guam. Due to the time change crossing the International Date Line, we will arrive the following evening on 9 December.
www.stephenambrosetours.com | 888-903-3329 | [email protected] Day 5 – December 10 - Guam at Agat could be used to offload supplies and Our study of Guam will begin with the Inva- equipment critical for the inland advance. sion Beaches, Asan and Agat beaches. Asan Beach contains many historic resources pre- One interesting aspect of the recapture of served from the war: Japanese gun emplace- Guam was the role played by the Navajo Indi- ments on the beach, as well as numerous an code talkers, who operated the radios open- pillboxes, caves and tunnels on Asan Ridge. ly conversing in their native tongue, unwritten Among the monuments, we will see Libera- and unknown to the Japanese. This successful tor’s Memorial which honors all U.S. forces tactic completely baffled the Japanese, who involved in the recapture of Guam; two Mabi- expected to hear coded English. We also visit ni monuments honoring the exiled Filipinos; The War Dog Memorial that honors the Do- a substantial Monument for the 3rd Marine bermans that served with the Marines in 1944 Division erected on site by the Third Marine and were killed in action leading scouting par- Division Association; and the US Landing ties, exploring caves and serving as sentries. Monument. Day 6 – December 11 - Guam From the beach we will drive to the Asan Bay This morning we visit the South Pacific Memo- Overlook, which features bronze sculptures rial Park and the Peace Memorial at the foot of depicting the events on Guam during the Mt. Matagi. It is meant to bring peace to the Japanese occupation in 1941-1944. This area souls of the war victims of both Japan and the affords a vantage point that shows how the U.S., and further strengthen the ties of friend- Japanese defensive forces dug in, and how the ship between the two countries. The design U.S. forces advanced from the beach to secure of the 50 ft. tower is in the shape of palms it. The Overlook gives a good perspective and pressed together in prayer for the souls of the overview of how the battle developed. From perished. Unknown to most, located in caves here we will go to Orote Peninsula to visit underneath the Peace Memorial are the for- Guam’s Naval Operating Base and its Interpre- mer Japanese Headquarters. We will see where tive Center. Lt. General Obata Hideyoshi, commander in charge of the Marianas, Bonins and Carolines, Later in the day our study continues at Agat planned Japanese defenses. When the resis- Beach. Ga’an Point in Agat Beach was strate- tance to the invasion failed and U.S. victory gically chosen in order to help secure Orote was certain, Obata committed suicide at his Peninsula to the north. The plan was to over- post. take Ga’an Point, where the entire beachfront
TOP: U.S. Marines in action on Guam.
RIGHT: American POWs under Japanese guard on Wake Island.
www.stephenambrosetours.com | 888-903-3329 | [email protected] commandant. After and informal “happy hour” and dinner at the Drifter Reef Club, we return on an evening flight back to Guam.
Day 8 – December 13 - Guam Our last day in Guam will be a free day. Participants will be able to explore and enjoy the island as they wish. Prior to dinner, our historian will give a final Day 7 – December 12 – Wake Island lecture and review all that we have covered In the morning we fly to Wake Island and during our time in spend the entire day there. We will attend the Pacific. Our tour Japanese garrison the 74th Commemoration Ceremony will conclude in the surrenders in 1945. that honors the American defense against evening at our Farewell the Japanese invasion. We see the key Fiesta Dinner hosted historical sites on the island. Among them by the 3rd Marine is the “98 Rock” and POW Memorial that Division Association. commemorate the American civilian workers that the Japanese murdered, including one escapee who was beheaded personally by the Day 9 – December 14 Flights home Wake Island & Pearl Harbor: The Anniversary Tour December 5 - 14, 2015 $6,990 per person (based on double occupancy) $1,100 single occupancy supplement
Tour includes: • Accommodations for nine nights at 4-star hotels • All breakfasts and several lunches and dinners (some free time scheduled) • Full-time professional historian leading the tour • Flights on United from Honolulu to Guam to Wake Island and back to Honolulu • All entrance fees to museums and attractions • Invitation to the 74th Commemoration Ceremony honoring the initial Japanese invaders repulsion by the U.S. defenders at the Wake Island Memorial.
www.stephenambrosetours.com | 888-903-3329 | [email protected]