In honor of the American servicemen who died liberating the island from Japan’s rule during World War II, their names, along with the names of the Chamorros who died and those who suffered war atrocities, were inscribed by the National Park Service on bronze panels and installed on the Memorial Wall at the Asan Bay Overlook.
Since 1996, Guam’s tropical environment along with damaging winds from numerous storms and Super Typhoons have taken their toll on the bronze panels causing them to deteriorate. Recently park officials installed a temporary wall at the Overlook with four different types of test panels. The test panels have been posted with engraved names in granite, bronze, stainless steel, and photo-etched aluminum. The park staff will continue to monitor the condition of test panels for a one year period. Park official Rose S.N. Manibusan stated, “The Memorial Wall has become a special place for Chamorro war survivors, returning U.S. veterans and their families. They take pride in pointing out the names of their relatives, comrades, and friends whenever they visit.” The park, however, has also been contacted by a few family members and informed that some names on the Memorial Wall are erroneous. As a result, park officials will continue to work with the staff of Guam’s Representative to Congress, Madeleine Z. Bordallo, to address these concerns. Manibusan further stated that, “The first step is to determine which type of materials will best endure under Guam’s tropical environment. Once materials have been identified, the next step will be to seek federal funding for panel replacements.”
For a direct link to the list of names on the Memorial Wall visit the parks website at http://www.nps.gov/wapa/indepth/extContent/wapa/memorial_wall/index.htm.
For more information on the park and the Pacific war log on to www.nps.gov/wapa.
