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27 July 1940
Japan declares the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere concept desiring to ensure its dominance in Asia and the Pacific and its ability to take raw materials from its neighbors. Japan’s determination to realize the concept through a policy of expansion through aggression would lead to direct conflict with numerous nations, particularly the United States and […]
WWII Profiles of Officers in Command
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.
Nightmare in Malesso’ at War’s End
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.
Comfort Women on Guam
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.
CHamorus Die in Pearl Harbor Bombing
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.
Guam Insular Guard
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.
Pacific World War II Timeline
Contributed by the War in the Pacific National Historical Park. Photos from the Micronesian Area Research Center, National Archives, Naval History and Heritage Command, The Japan Times, War in the Pacific, and Wikimedia Commons collections.
CHamorus Forced into War Effort
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.
Song of Hope, Song of Faith
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.
CHamorus Yearn for Freedom
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.