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A WAR NOT OF OUR MAKING
**SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER**
Life for our people before the war was stable, reflecting the well-being of our families. We had a vibrant local self-sustaining economy and our population continued to grow. Sumay and Hagåtña had become the centers of commerce on the island. All this was about to change.
With little explanation, the Navy evacuated personnel and their dependents on October 1941 from Guam, leaving the CHamorus to defend themselves with only a small contingent of American military personnel remaining.
Even though some families were warned of the troubling times and began preparing for the possibility of war, no one suspected the scale of Guam’s engagement in a war not of our making
I TINITUHUN I GERA -THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR
I TINITUHUN I GERA -THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR
On December 8, 1941 Japanese forces bombed Sumay first. Larry Lujan Pangelinan and Teddy Flores Cruz, workers at the Pan American Hotel, were Guam’s first fatalities. The news of the bombing at Sumay hit Hagåtña during the celebration of the mass honoring Santa Marian Kamalen. Bishop Miguel Olano instructed the people to seek refuge. All trails and the four major roads leading out of Hagåtña were crowded with people as some 11,000 residents rushed to their lånchos outside of the city.
The Guam Insular Guard stayed behind to defend the Plaza de España as Hagåtña was invaded on December 10th. The American naval governor surrendered shortly thereafter. This began the occupation of Guam by Japanese Imperial Forces.
I LINA’LÅ-TA GI DURANTEN I AREKLAMENTON I CHAPANÍS
I LINA’LÅ-TA GI DURANTEN I AREKLAMENTON I CHAPANÍS
- LIFE DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION
- LIFE DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION
Under Japanese rule, Guam was renamed Omiya Jima and became a camp for 14,000 Japanese troops. They seized buildings and homes, and initiated curfews to monitor our movements. Radios were confiscated to control information. Many people were displaced, including evicted Sumay residents who moved to Apra and other farming areas.
The Japanese brought CHamoru interpreters from the Northern Mariana Islands to assist them in Guam. Life was hard under Japanese rule. Food was scarce and at times, the soldiers would punish people for the smallest perceived offense.
Some Japanese tried to get along with our people, but as the tide turned against them, they became more violent. Our people suffered forced labor, some were raped and tortured, and groups were massacred by the Japanese in places like Tinta, Faha and Chagui’an. Through deep faith we remained strong—and survived.
Concentration Camps
As the American assault began, Japanese soldiers marched most of our people to concentration camps. The largest was at Manenggon. The trek was difficult and some did not survive. Food was extremely scarce. Conditions in the camps were grim.
FATHER JESUS BAZA DUEÑAS
CHamoru priest Pale’ Duenas, leader of the Church on Guam, was tortured and executed along with Edward Duenas and Juan U. Pangelinan. Pale’ Duenas was accused of protecting American George Tweed and defying Japanese authorities.
ULTIMATE SACRIFICES
Many brave CHamorus were killed for resisting the Japanese. Jesus Salas, shown kneeling before his execution, was a member of the Guam Insular Guard.
CAVE MASSACRES
During these final days, Japanese soldiers massacred hundreds of our people. Many women were raped and killed. Almost 80 residents were slaughtered near Fena and Malesso’, and 45 men and boys were killed at Chagui’an, Yigo.
ATÅTE RIVER
In response to the Malesso massacres, about 20 men from the village, led by Jose “Tunko” Reyes, killed 10 Japanese soldiers and reclaimed Atåte. This victory was a turning point in the war.
HINALOM AMERIKÅNU TÅTTE -AMERICANS RETURN 1944-1945
HINALOM AMERIKÅNU TÅTTE -AMERICANS RETURN 1944-1945
In July 1944, American military forces bombed Guam for 13 consecutive days. This campaign obliterated Hagåtña and Sumay. Most of our people remained in concentration camps during the bombing.
Grateful to be rescued from Japanese occupation, we began our journey to rebuild from the ashes of war. Most were displaced. Sumay became a massive military installation. Hagåtña residents were re-located to postwar villages like Sinajana and Barrigada. Our people once again became wards of the US Navy.
The military took two-thirds of the island through Eminent Domain. Guam became a military staging ground in preparation for the American advance to Asia. About 250,000 personnel were located in Guam to end the war.
Gift to the Guam Museum from Retired Brig. General C.I. Murray, USMC
Two young CHamoru childing holding an American flag after the liberation of Guam in July 1944. The flags were made in secret by the boys mothers from parts of dresses during the Japanese Occupation. The flag were used by locals to identify themselves to the American soldiers. The photo was taken on August 10, 1944 by Pulitzer Prize photographer, Joe Rosenthal/AP.
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