On July 21, 1944, the US Marine Corps and their heavy equipment rolled onto Guam’s shores and began the process of liberating the island from the Japanese.
On February 8th, 2006, the Guam public had the opportunity to see first hand the enormity and complexity of the vehicles and hardware used by the US Marine Corps. This equipment was displayed at the Asan Beach Unit of War in the Pacific National Historical Park; the very same beach that the Marine’s conquered more than sixty years ago to return peace to the island of Guam.
The 31st MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) of the US Marine Corps was conducting Training in an Urban Environment on the islands of Guam and Tinian from January 22nd- February 13th but they generously decided to donate their time to fostering community relations during their time on Guam.
As part of “Marine Day”, the USMC provided a display of Ground Equipment. The following equipment was part of the Static Display of Ground Equipment and was on site for people to climb inside, sit in the drivers seat, and handle: Assault Amphibious Vehicle, Light Armored Vehicle, Multiple Tactical Vehicle Replacement, M198mm Towed Howitzer, HMMWV, Stinger missile system, Interim Fast Attack Vehicle w/ TOW, and medium and heavy assault weapons including M249, MK19, M240G, M2 50. cal, and a sniper rifle.
On exhibit were also the following helicopters: CH- 53E Super Stallion, CH -46E Sea stallion, AH- 1W Super Cobra, and a UH-1N Huey.
National Park Service rangers and staff were available to answer any questions the public may have had about the Liberation of Guam or the historical battlefield. The park’s cooperative association, the Arizona Memorial Museum Association, also set up an outdoor tent which provided island residents with an opportunity to view text books, videos, magazines, and commemorative items related to the War in the Pacific.
War in the Pacific NHP was pleased to be the venue for this educational display and the public was delighted to spend a beautiful day in the historical Asan Beach learning about the ground and aviation equipment utilized by the US Marine Corps. By seeing the equipment on display during Marine Day, residents could imagine what Asan beach might have looked 60 years ago as similar equipment rumbled upon the shore and across the battlefield to conquer to island from the Japanese.
