War in the Pacific National Park Service National Historical Park U.S. Department of the Interior War in the Pacifc Guam by air, sea, and land, World War II’s livelihoods, forced labor, imprisonment, and executions. devastation tore across the Pacifc Ocean on a scale never On July 21, 1944, US forces returned to retake the island. before experienced in human history. The warring nations— the United States, Japan, China, British Empire, Netherlands, War in the Pacifc National Historical Park commemorates and many others—were based thousands of miles away. the bravery and sacrifce of all those who participated in or Caught in the crossfre were the people of the Pacifc islands were affected by World War II’s Pacifc Theater campaigns. in whose homelands and waters combat raged for four years. The park conserves and interprets Guam’s outstanding places, artifacts, history, and culture. Throughout the park are Hours after their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Decem- remnants of combat and occupation—artillery, earthworks, ber 7, 1941, Japan bombed the US Territory of Guam battlegrounds—slowly succumbing to the elements. What and within two days invaded the island. Like countless endures is the spirit, dignity, and bravery of those caught up indigenous people occupied by invaders, the Cham- in a world at war. orros endured the destruction of their homes and Top: US forces retake Guam, July 1944 USS Maryland and capsized USS Japanese kamikaze pilots prepare 3rd Marine Division taking Asan Japanese prisoners of war, 1945 Oklahoma, Dec. 7, 1941 for a mission, 1944 Beach, July 21, 1944 They fought together as brothers in arms; they died together and now they sleep side by side . To them, we have a solemn obligation—the obligation to ensure that their sacrifces will FOR THE PEOPLE OF GUAM, war came early and stayed late RITIDIAN POINT help make this a better and safer world in but is soon driven back. US carrier Lexington; US food or water. Many do execute bombing raids which to live.” Mt Machanao 1941 Capt. George J. McMillin, stems Japanese advance. 1944 not survive march; many on Japan, and Apra —Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, Dec. 7 (Dec. 8 in Guam March 4 Anticipating USN Governor of Guam, others die from horrifc Harbor becomes world’s Pacifc Fleet and Pacifc Ocean Arenas, 1945 and other points west of surrenders to Japan. June 4–7 Battle of Mid- American invasion, conditions in camps or busiest port. International Date Line) way; Japan suffers major Japanese return to Guam on work crews. Japan’s surprise attack losses of ships, aircraft, to reinforce southern Feb.–April After 36 days PATI POINT on Pearl Harbor cripples 1942 and men. Marianas. Social activi- July 21 55,000 US of bitter fghting, US August 7 the US Pacifc feet; ties are banned, schools Jan. 10 McMillin, troops land on Asan Marines take Iwo Jima; P H I L I P P I N E S E A Japan moves to occupy American military and Nov. 12–15 The decisive closed. Laboring at bay- and Agat beaches; Okinawa soon secured August 6 much of Southeast Asia onet point, Chamorro civilian personnel, and American victory in the despite 18,500 Japanese in largest amphibious 0 5 Kilometers and western Pacifc. men, women, and chil- American and Spanish Naval Battle of Guadal- defenders, both beaches landing of Pacifc war. 0 5 Miles Mt clergy are taken to POW canal prevents Japanese dren work in felds, build are secured. Yigo Santa Rosa Dec. 8 Japanese bomb camps in Japan. from landing reinforce- defenses, and dig hun- Aug. 6 US drops atomic 3rd Marine islands of Wake, Guam, ments. dreds of shelter caves July 24 US forces invade bomb on Hiroshima and, and the Philippines. for Japanese occupiers. Division Tumon Bay Dededo Feb.–March Japanese Tinian. 3 days later, Nagasaki. July 21 On Guam, the targeted rename island of minesweeper USS June 15 US forces ADELUP Guam Ömiyajima; the 1943 Aug. 10 US declares Aug. 14 Japan accepts POINT Penguin is sunk outside invade Saipan, suffering Hagåta Tamuning Mt Barrigada Keibitai—Japanese naval Under keibitai rule, Guam secure . Libera- Allied terms for uncon- ASAN POINT (Agana) Apra Harbor. heavy losses. Tiyan police—now govern. Chamorros may remain tion costs over 7,000 ditional surrender; signs Asan on their ranches, but are American and about formal treaty Sept. 2. CABRAS ISLAND Fonte Barrigada Dec. 8–23 Wake Island April After Battle of forced to learn Japanese June 19–20 Battle of 17,500 Japanese casual- OROTE APRA Piti falls to Japanese; 45 Philippine Sea; US Navy PENINSULA Chalan Bataan, thousands of language and customs. ties. Japan’s grip on the HARBOR P Chamorro civilian airline carrier forces devastate ag Pago P A C I F I C O C E A N US and Filipino prisoners English is forbidden. Marianas is broken. o aftermath River workers are stranded. Japanese feet. Airstrip secured Mangilao perish in 62-mile forced Chamorros suspected of 1945–49 144 persons, Mt July 29 Chachao August 1 march to Japanese prison hiding family members mostly Japanese with a Mt Tenjo Y Pago Bay Dec. 10 Japanese Early July 10,000– lig 1st Provisional camps. wanted by the Japanese 1945 few Chamorros, are forces invade Guam. 15,000 Chamorros are Marine Brigade Apra Yona July 31 or aiding Americans Guam transformed tried on Guam for war GA’AN Heights Insular Guard attempts forced to march to jun- July 21 AM R May 4–8 Battle of the are harassed, beaten, into military fortress. crimes; 134 convicted. POINT iv e to halt Japanese advance gle camps with little r Coral Sea: Japanese sink tortured, or executed. From here, US B-29s 77th Army Santa Rita Agat Division Mt Alifan BANGI Isolated pockets of July 21 PM POINT T Japanese resistance alof ofo July 26-August 10 A decree was sent out that night that all In order to support us my mother had a Every morning we would come out July 30 R iv men should go work in the fama’ayan, soap factory . Mama would go from of our house to salute the Emperor. It Mt Lamlam er Talofofo Bay the rice feld. All the men, young and house to house with the carabao cart to happened that just one day before the r e iv old, were made to work from seven collect all the ashes for the soap. We Americans came, when we were R m o’clock in the morning until six o’clock in used the soap to barter, one bar of soap supposed to come out that morning to u g Umatac U the evening. They didn’t feed us any- about the size of the regular GI bars. be killed by the Japanese, the Japanese thing, we ate whatever we found. When Every piece of soap we’d trade for one were all gone from camp. They had JULY 1944 From two beach- Inarajan it rained we continued working in the chicken or fsh or vegetable. My left the camp to meet the enemy. .an heads on Guam’s sheltered west Merizo rain, even when we were soaking wet. mother was killed by the Japanese. interpreter was there at the time . the coast, US forces battled for 20 days to recapture the island. When harvesting time came, we had —Lorraine Mesa Aguon leader had told us that we were very, Gold arrows show the general gained nothing . Everything went to very lucky because we were supposed direction of the American assault. the Japenese soldiers. to be showered with the machine guns —Jose T. Acfalle that evening . —Eugenia A. Leon Guerrero Under Japanese occupation, Chamorro forced laborers plant rice. PHOTOS THIS SIDE—NATIONAL ARCHIVES UNLESS OTHERWISE CREDITED Experience Your National Park on Guam NPS / DAVE LOTZ Rare Japanese midget submarine at park visitor center View of WWII invasion beach from Asan Bay Overlook Memorial Wall bas relief sculpture, Asan Bay Overlook Japanese 14-cm coastal defense gun, Piti Guns Unit Japanese 20-cm coastal gun at Ga‘an Point plan your visit War in the Pacifc partner group, offers a cultural and natural ACCESSIBILITY War in the Pacifc National Historical Park comprehensive selection objects in their original We strive to make our National Historical Park invites you to explore of Pacifc Theater and place and contact a facilities, programs, and 135 Murray Blvd. Guam’s World War II Guam history publica­ park ranger if you have services accessible to all. Hagåta, Guam 96910 experience as well as its tions, flms, and memo­ questions. To learn more, ask at www.nps.gov/wapa natural world. rabilia. the visitor center or For your safety do not check our website. Start at the T. Stell New­ STAY SAFE, PROTECT open or enter any caves man Visitor Center in THE PARK or tunnels; they are MORE INFORMATION Sumay on Marine Corps Historic structures, mili­ fragile and may contain War in the Pacifc Na­ Join the park community. Drive (Rt. 1). Interactive tary equipment, and hidden explosives. tional Historical Park is www.nationalparks.org exhibits and flms por­ earthworks like foxholes one of over 400 parks ✩GPO:20xx—xxx­xxx/xxxxx New in 20xx tray the events of the and trenches date from Some lands in the park in the National Park Printed on recycled paper. Battle of Guam and tell the 1940s or earlier and are privately owned. System. To learn more the stories of combat are very fragile. Help us Please respect these about National Park veterans, as well as Cha­ protect these features property rights and do Service programs visit morros and other Pacifc by not disturbing them.