Welcome to the Marianas Wartime Oral Histories Portal

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This webpage serves as a community gateway to explore firsthand accounts of World War II in the Mariana Islands. Clicking on the images above or cards below leads you to the National Park Service gallery video and audio oral history pages, where you can play, download, and get the transcripts. This builds upon our earlier projects such as Fanhasso: War for Guam, the Pacific World War II Timeline, and Guampedia’s extensive entries on WWII

Led by Dr. Jennifer Craig through the Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories Fellowship, this initiative continues the legacy of Toni “Malia” Ramirez’s Voices of Our Elders. It places community-led storytelling at the heart of understanding and sharing the true history of the Pacific Theater during World War II. The stories offer personal perspectives on survival, resilience, and remembrance, preserving a vital part of our shared history.

These oral histories were recorded by National Park Service staff during commemoration events held throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. From the National Park Service perspective, Dr. Craig’s fellowship has provided the opportunity to do work that is long overdue, that the parks previously did not have the capacity to address adequately.

“Through the work of Dr. Jennifer Craig, we have been able to better understand the wealth of resources we have and can now begin the process of finding appropriate and thoughtful ways to make them accessible to the communities they came from and beyond. Through the fellowship, we have been able to develop an inclusive approach to making accessible oral histories that have been sitting for nearly 40 years. The Fellow has worked with NPS, partners, and families to ensure this is done in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner throughout the layers and partnerships. Critical to this has been empathy for the stories, those sharing the stories, the people working with these traumatic war memories and our communities,” the National Park Service stated.

Dr. Craig is a maritime archaeologist whose work centers on community-oriented, Indigenous, feminist archaeology. Her work expands collections-based research with heart-centered archaeology. With associates (both living and haunting), Dr. Craig answers scholarly questions by excavating archaeological collections found deep in repositories. Repositories are generated over decades by academic institutions, government agencies, museums, volunteer organizations, and cultural resource management firms.

For the Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories Fellowship, Dr. Jennifer Craig worked with partners at Guampedia who recognize the coexistence of spirit and living to conduct a reciprocal process of curation on content for public consumption and embrace fatoigue taotaomo’ma (places and people visited by ancestral spirits). The fellowship aims to connect ancestors with descendants by engaging in inåfa’maolek para mo’na mañatatti (restoring harmony/balance moving forward or for future generations). Specifically, the project connects ancestor to descendant by sharing oral histories, some long forgotten, from the National Park Service collection. The project fulfills these goals by digitizing the videos and audio and creating this portal to make them accessible to the community.

The project’s progress was shared in regular community gatherings in the Marianas Storytelling series. As many of our World War II survivors have passed on and the influx of military installations increases, our events served as both a tribute and a call to action. Through partnerships like these and the voices of our storytellers, their legacy will continue to guide us forward.

Marianas Storytelling Series Premiere - Guam

On 30 March 2024, the Guam Museum hosted Marianas Storytelling: Land & Lineage – Ti Geran-Måmi (A War Not of Our Making), a special program honoring the lived experiences of CHamoru/Chamorro people during World War II. The event invited the community to reflect on personal and collective memories of wartime through a powerful blend of live storytelling, short films, and discussion.

The program opened with a moving reflection by WWII survivor Maria Concepcion Gayle, who shared her story of survival and resilience. Her words set a heartfelt tone for the evening and served as a reminder of the strength and courage carried by so many during the war. The audience then viewed the short film “We Break Our Tears: Benjamin Abadilla’s Story” by Dr. Olivia De Leon Guerrero, which explored the emotional impact of war through the personal experience of another survivor.

A highlight of the evening was the introduction of the Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories Fellowship, presented by Dr. Jennifer Craig and National Park Service’s Ranger Brooke Nevitt. Dr. Craig introduced herself and her methods, sharing the project’s resources and directly asking how the Pacific Islander audience would like to receive the stories.

The program also featured the short film “War for Guam” by Frances Negrón-Muntaner, offering additional perspective on the cultural and political aftermath of WWII in the islands. The evening concluded with a thoughtful discussion between WWII survivor Carmen Lekka Babauta, filmmaker Frances Negrón-Muntaner, and Michael Lujan Bevacqua, who provided historical context and commentary. Together, they explored themes of memory, legacy, and healing across generations.

Marianas Storytelling Series Premiere - Saipan

At American Memorial Park on 18 April 2024, Marianas Storytelling: Land & Lineage themed “Ti Geran-Måmi (A War Not of Our Making), invited the public to gather for an evening of heart-centered storytelling focused on the lasting connections between land, family, and memory in the Mariana Islands.

Attendees heard deeply personal stories of strength, resilience, and renewal, reminding us of a generation that endured great hardship yet rebuilt their lives through faith, community, and the enduring spirit of inafamaolek.

The event featured a reflection by Toni “Malia” Ramirez of Ti Geran-måmi, which captured the emotional truth of war from the perspective of the islands’ people.

A highlight of the evening was the introduction of the Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories Fellowship, presented by Dr. Jennifer Craig and National Park Service’s Ranger Brooke Nevitt. Dr. Craig introduced herself and her methods, sharing the project’s resources and directly asking how the Pacific Islander audience would like to receive the stories.

This was accompanied by the launch of Guampedia’s newest section, “Celebrating Chamorro/CHamoru Nobenas,” an initiative honoring spiritual and cultural continuity across generations.

The evening concluded with a screening of the moving documentary “Promesa” by Dr. Lola Quan Bautista, produced in partnership with the Pacific Islanders in Communications and the CNMI Museum. The film explores CHamoru/Chamorro prayer traditions and the enduring power of faith and family in sustaining cultural identity.

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On 7 December 2024, the Guam Museum welcomed the community to a meaningful afternoon of storytelling, history, and culture as part of the Marianas Storytelling: Land & Lineage series. This special event invited guests to reflect on the connections between heritage, memory, and identity through powerful films and heartfelt conversations.

The program opened with a live introduction to the National Park Service’s WWII True History project, a public education component of the Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories Fellowship, which shared highlights from efforts to preserve and share the real experiences of CHamorus during World War II. It was a chance to listen to history through voices that have long deserved to be heard from interviews collected in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.

Attendees also had the opportunity to revisit Promesa, a touching documentary by Dr. Lola Quan Bautista that explores CHamoru prayer traditions and the enduring connection to ancestry. Following the screening, prayer leaders Señora Teresita Flores and Rita Pangelinan Nauta led an engaging conversation about faith, family, and the power of remembering where we come from.

Later, the audience enjoyed an encore presentation of Tradewinds, an award-winning documentary by Mighty Island that celebrates Guam’s cultural heritage through music. Featuring the beloved musician Patrick Palomo, the film struck a powerful chord with many, and a post-screening Q&A with Palomo and the Mighty Island team offered personal insights into the role of music in shaping identity and preserving tradition.

Presented by Guampedia, the Guam Museum Foundation, the National Park Service, the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, and the University of Guam — with support from the University of Guam Global Learning and Engagement and Pacific Islanders in Communications — this event served as a moving reminder of how storytelling continues to bring generations together and keep our island’s history alive.

Celebration & Commemoration

 

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31 May 2025,  Cultivating Connections Through Celebration & Commemoration honored both our Famagu’on—our children—and our island’s veterans, highlighting how storytelling connects generations through memory, identity, and shared lived experience.

Youth storytellers, students from M.U. Lujan Elementary School’s CHamoru Studies Program shared traditional narratives, proudly representing their school and cultural roots. Winners of the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency’s Poetry Out Loud competition followed with compelling spoken-word performances. Their poems explored themes of identity, family, and resilience. The program also featured high school and middle school winners of the Department of Youth Affairs 2025 Oratorical Contest, who delivered inspiring speeches reflecting on the theme Innovation and Technology: Shaping Tomorrow.

These stories were complemented with the screening of Maisa the CHamoru Girl Who Saves Guåhan by Twiddle Productions. This beautifully animated film reimagined a cherished island legend, telling the story of a brave young girl who leads the women of Guåhan in defense of their homeland.

Humanities Guåhan presented on the Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy Program, which underscored the importance of storytelling in building strong family relationships and cultural understanding.

Audio only interviews

Clicking on the cards below leads you to the NPgallery audio oral history pages, where you can play, download, and get the transcripts.

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Arthur Armstrong Sr.
30:02

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Frank V. Brewer
11:23

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James Burton
55:09

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Pedro Cruz
33:37

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Eddy Jack-01
Jack Eddy
29:40

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Alvin M. Josephy Jr.
Alvin M. Josephy Jr.
32:09

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Hiram W. Elliot
32:09

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WWII's Living History & Legacy​
     
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  On 28 June 2025, in the *Cultivating Connections through WWII's Living History & Legacy* series was a special gathering that brought the community together to reflect on the resilience and history of the Mariana Islands during and after World War II. The event began with an opening ceremony led by Lieutenant Governor Joshua “Josh” Franquez Tenorio and featured a proclamation by Guam Legislature’s Speaker Blas, officially designating June 28 as War Survivor Commemoration Day. Highlights included presentations by Dr. Jennifer Craig and Rita Pangelinan Nauta on the True History project, and they premiered the National Park Service’s “WWII Marianas True History” Reel produced by Guampedia and Simon Sanchez III. Nicole Calvo shared the mission of Pacific Historic Parks and introduced a powerful screening of “Hasso yan Onra – Mañenggon” by Nihi Indigenous Media. The film features Col. Joaquin "Danny" S. Santos, Jr., USMC (Ret.), as he recounts his emotional journey to Mañenggon and the lessons passed down from wartime experiences. Renowned author and historian Don Farrell presented insights from his latest work, “The Reconstruction of Guam: 1944–1950, Military and Political,” the fourth volume in his series on Guam’s history. He invited attendees to help identify any family members featured in historical photographs within the book. Stephanie Flores, President of the Mañenggon Memorial Foundation, shared the Foundation’s 2025 agenda for several commemoration events taking place in different locations across the island to remember what happened in those locations to the people of the villages, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and community engagement. Joe Quinata from the Guam Preservation Trust spoke of the strength and endurance of war survivors throughout the Marianas, and introduced the Hagåtña upcoming Living History program, designed to bring the past to life through shared stories and experiences. The event concluded on a celebratory note with Mayor BJ Terlaje’s introduction of Guam’s 2025 Liberation Queen, Antonia Maria Guerrero of Piti village—an inspiring symbol of the island’s ongoing legacy and pride. Together, these moments offered a moving tribute to the enduring spirit of the people of the Mariana Islands, and a reminder of the importance of preserving and honoring our shared history.
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Carmen A. Kasperbauer
34:59

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Cyril O'Brien
Cyril O'Brien
34:59

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Juan Namaulea Perez
34:59

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Reyes Jose Thumb
Jose S. Reyes
34:59

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Rafael Reyes
49:33

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Peter C. Siguenza
26:04

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Documents

Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories
This project inventories existing oral histories to create various opportunities for these stories to be shared with our team, partners and community.

Psychological Safety

The title of this section comes from the legacy of Psychological Safety brought to NPS under the leadership of the 19th National Park Service Director Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III. He is Cayuse and Walla Walla and is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Northeast Oregon, with blood ties to the Cocopah Tribe and Yankton Sioux of Fort Peck. Sams is a veteran of the US Navy.
 
In the Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories Fellowship, a heart-centered archaeology approach involved deep listening and community programs. In order to cultivate our connection with the ancestors and their storytelling while also maintaining our health and wellbeing, Dr Jennifer Craig created an asynchronous training on Trauma-Informed Approaches to Difficult Histories. This training covered the breadth of Oral History work with a greater emphasis on its Interpretation. The need was recognized in that the majority of colleagues from the War in the Pacific National Historical Park and the American Memorial Park were themselves CHamoru/Chamorro and Carolinian descendants of war survivors. Culminating in a 2 day in-person workshop, co-led with CHamoru/Chamorro Rita Pangelinan Nauta, participants were re-sensitized to the work they perform and how their bodies, mind and souls need care and kindness to recuperate and reconnect.

Learn the theory and practice of Oral History

Each workshop will introduce a key theme in oral history theory and practice. Reminders to watch the videos and read supporting material will be sent weekly.

How do we get visitors to connect emotionally to the sacrifice our parks memorialize?

We aim to build a multi-tiered SOP of Oral History with Story; Storyteller; Visitor AMME/WAPA staff weave together these three tiers into a park specific SOP of Oral History.

NPS Staff and Intern Resources for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Our wellness matters, and acknowledging when our stress level is high, and utilizing effective techniques, strategies, and practices cope can be important for our own wellness.

More NPS content

History & Culture

Learn about the Pacific Theater of World War II and the people caught in the middle.

Digital on NPS Gallery

Search, discover, and explore the National Park Service digital collections.

Voices of Guåhan

Hear stories from indigenous peoples and military personnel WWII survivors of Guåhan.
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