Battle Of Guam
Chronology--Philippines and Guam
The first organic act, known as the Philippine Bill of 1902, was passed by the U.S. Congress. It called for the management of Phillipine affairs, upon restoration of peace, by establishing the first elective Philippine Assembly and the Taft Commission comprising the lower and upper house, respectively, of the Philippine Legislature. The passage of the Act may be attributed in part to José Rizal and his stirring last farewell to his beloved country immortalized in his poem, Mi Ultimo Adios , that he wrote in his cell at Fort Santiago on the eve of his execution by the Spaniards on December 30, 1896. At first, there was strong opposition to the passage of the bill from misinformed members of the House, some of whom referred to the Filipinos as "barbarians" incapable of self government. Thereupon, Congressman Henry A. Cooper of Wisconsin took the floor and recited Rizal's last farewell before a skeptical House. Silence soon pervaded the floor as Cooper, eyes moist with tears and ... [Read More]
War in the Pacific NHP: Liberation - Guam Remembers
William C. Jerdonek of Parma, Ohio, wrote the letterto John Blaz, administrator of the Veterans Office on Guam on thebehalf of his brother, Paul P. Jerdonek. William wrote that he had heardthat Guam Governor Joseph F. Ada was inviting people who took part inthe capture and liberation of Guam in 1944 to participate in 50thanniversary activities. Without great emotion but filled with the feeling ofa man who loves and misses his brother, William provided details abouthis brother: "His name was Paul P. Jerdonek, a Private First Classin the Third Regiment, Third Division of the U.S. Marine Corps. He wasthe B.A.R. man in his squad and was mortally wounded on the first day(July 21, 1944) of the invasion of Guam. He was unable to be evacuateduntil the following day and suffered greatly until he was transferred tothe "U.S.S. Solace" hospital ship, upon which he passed away from thewounds on July 27, 1944. He was buried on Kwajalein Atoll in theMarshall Islands until after the war ended." The ... [Read More]
The Right to Fight: African-American Marines in World War II (Seizing the Mariana Islands Saipan, Tinian, and Guam)
On D-Day, 15 June 1944, the depot companies sawaction at Saipan, manhandling cargo from ships' holds into landing craftand finally distributing the supplies among the combat units. The 18thand 20th Marine Depot Companies landed with the 4th Marine Division onD-Day, while 19th company was going ashore with the 2d Marine Division.Attached to the 3d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, oneplatoon of the 18th Company arrived at its assigned beach about two andone-half hours after the first wave. A mortar shell wounded four men ofthe depot company, who had to be evacuated for emergency treatmentoffshore, but the others kept moving inland. One squad fought asinfantry to reinforce a thinly held line about a hundred yards from thewater's edge. The next morning, the bulk of the company helped eliminateJapanese infiltrators who had penetrated along the boundary between the23d Marines and the 8th Marines of the adjacent 2d Marine Division. When the immediate threat had passed, the 18th D ... [Read More]
War in the Pacific NHP: Liberation - Guam Remembers
The date was the feast of the Immaculate Conceptionand many families were still in church when the planes struck. The cityof Agana, the hub of the island, was instantly transformed into a cityof shocked people. Mothers and children wept and wailed. Fathers soughtmissing members of their families in efforts to flee from the town. Among the first victims of the attack were Teddy Cruzand Larry Pangelinan, young Chamorro kitchen workers who perished whena bomb hit the Pan American hotel at Orote Point. Also killed was EnsignRobert White, who manned an anti-aircraft gun aboard the USS Penguin.The vessel, the only seaworthy ship in Guam at the time, fought theJapanese aircraft off Orote Point, but to no avail. The Penguincommander then decided to scuttle the ship. By the end of the day, the feast that was to be wastransformed into the beginning of one of the most tragic periods in thehistory of Guam. A day later, the planes returned for more, againstriking military facilities and the Pan ... [Read More]
Library of Congress/Spanish American War Introduction
United States U.S. interest in purchasing Cuba had begun long before 1898. Following the Ten Years War, American sugar interests bought up large tracts of land in Cuba. Alterations in the U.S. sugar tariff favoring home-grown beet sugar helped foment the rekindling of revolutionary fervor in 1895. By that time the U.S. had more than $50 million invested in Cuba and annual trade, mostly in sugar, was worth twice that much. Fervor for war had been growing in the United States, despite President Grover Cleveland 's proclamation of neutrality on June 12, 1895. But sentiment to enter the conflict grew in the United States when General Valeriano Weyler began implementing a policy of Reconcentration that moved the population into central locations guarded by Spanish troops and placed the entire country under martial law in February 1896. By December 7, President Cleveland reversed himself declaring that the United States might intervene should Spain fail to end the crisis in Cuba. Pres ... [Read More]
War In The Pacific National Historical Park (National Park Service)
At War in the Pacific National Historical Park (NHP), the former battlefields, gun emplacements, trenches,and historic structures all serve as silent reminders of the bloody battles that ensued on the Island of Guam, over 58 years ago. ... Park visitors have the opportunity to learn about the events that lead to the outbreak of the Pacific War, the Battle of Guam and the role the Mariana Islands played in helping to end World War II (1941-1945). ... [Read More]
War in the Pacific NHP: Liberation - Guam Remembers
25-26 July 1944 "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at therisk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commandingofficer of a rifle company attached to the 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3dMarine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Fonte Hill,Guam, 25-26 July 1944. Ordered to take that portion of the hill withinhis zone of action, Capt. Wilson initiated his attack in mid afternoon,pushed up the rugged, open terrain against terrific machine gun andrifle fire for 300 yards and successfully captured the objective.Promptly assuming command of other disorganized units and motorizedequipment in addition to his own company and 1 reinforcing platoon, heorganized his night defenses in the face of continuous hostile fire andalthough wounded 3 times during this 5 hour period, completed hisdisposition of men and guns before retiring to the company command postfor medical attention. Shortly thereafter, when the enemy launched thefirst of a series of savage counterattac ... [Read More]
The Official Website of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo
61st Anniversary of Liberation of Guam and Battle for the Northern Marianas Commemorated at Tomb of the Unknowns ... Welcome to the official website for the Delegate from Guam -- "Where America's Day Begins." It is my sincere hope that you find the resources here both informative and useful. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me . Please be sure to visit frequently as this page is updated regularly. Thank you and Si Yu'os Ma'ase. ... [Read More]
The Right to Fight: African-American Marines in World War II (Peleliu and Iwo Jima)
When the 1st Marine Division, on 15 September 1944,attacked the heavily defended island of Peleliu in the Palau group, the16th Field Depot supported the assault troops. The field depot includedtwo African-American units, the 11th Marine Depot Company and the 7thMarine Ammunition Company. The 11th Marine Depot Company respondedbeyond the call of duty and paid the price, 17 wounded, the highestcasualty rate of any company of African-American Marines during theentire war. Major General William H. Rupertus, who commanded the 1stMarine Division, sent identical letters of commendation to thecommanders of both companies, praising the black Marines for their"whole hearted cooperation and untiring efforts" which "demonstrated inevery respect" that they "appreciate the privilege of wearing a Marineuniform and serving with Marines in combat." Black combat support units also took part in theassault on Iwo Jima, where, as at Peleliu, their presence confounded thepolicy of segregation. Because of t ... [Read More]
War in the Pacific NHP: Liberation - Guam Remembers
Bush's unit was to fight in Okinawa but would returnto Guam, where he would meet and befriend a local family. Invited to aparty by the family, Bush would experience something he never experiencedbefore - tuba, the fermented, and yes, alcoholic product of thecoconut tree. The aftermath of the party was predictable. "I made friends with a family named Cruz. They did mylaundry and once, graciously invited us to their humble home, where thefather plied us with something called TUBA and we tried to find our wayback to camp." Williams was also affected by the emotions of thepeople as they passed his unit in Agana where he and his comrades hadbeen assigned positions. Moving to the rear of the battle,Chamorros would walk past the positions held by Williams and otherMarines. "They (the people) were understandably quiteemotional as they approached, considering their months of oppressionunder the Japanese, and nearly all had tears streaming down their faces.Many were on foot but some came in t ... [Read More]
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