War in the Pacific Cultural Resources Inventory

PART 2b

Chamorros were brought from the Japanese concentration camps to U.S. refugee camps at the site of Old Agat Village. Facilities were sparse and consisted of old tents and crude shacks for housing. Guamanians clustered about sharing mess lines and water lines with the U.S. Marines until a civilian kitchen and mess line were set up. The first night housed over 700 refugees. By August 5, there were over 6,689 seeking protection from the Japanese soldiers (Apple 1980). At the peak, 18,000 Chamorros were housed. By August 3, many began returning to their homes and ranches (livestock), arms and carts full of food (GMP 1983:17).

Immediately following W-Day American Seabees moved onto Asan Beach and began to build Camp Asan. It served as the island command troops headquarters for the Seabees. This facility, at Asan Beach, would come to serve many purposes over time.

After the fighting ceased, 18,000 Chamorros were counted as compared to the 23,915 counted by the Japanese in January 1944. These people were encouraged to return to their homes and farms to once again produce food for the civilian population. Because many lands were now within military possession for airfields, firing ranges, training areas, campsites and supply depots, it became necessary for the military to establish new villages. The new village of Agat was built just south of the old Santa Rita village site. Chamorros were paid as labor crews to help rebuild their villages, schools, and churches. Americans also extended efforts to re-establish the copra and other industries. Fishing, forbidden under Japanese rule, was again encouraged (Lodge 1998:163). Aerial seeding of a legume (tangen-tangen) was accomplished by the U. S. Navy to reduce soil erosion especially on steep slopes and ridges.

President Truman signed the Organic Act of Guam on August 1, 1950 (made effective on July 21, the six year anniversary of Liberation Day in 1944). The act stated that Guam, like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands belongs to the United States as unincorporated territories. The Organic Act of Guam, gave Guamanians American citizenship and a civilian government. Unincorporated territories are extended no promise of statehood or status equal to statehood and have no voting rights in the U.S. presidential elections.

Historic photo of one of the first American flags to fly over Guam since 10 December 1940. Planted by U.S. Marines 8 minutes after they hit Agat Beach destroying vegetation along the beach heads on July 21, 1944 (U.S. Marine Corps 1944).

Typical village constructed by the military government to house Guamanians displaced by the war (this photo is of Sinajana village located north east of Agat Village) (U.S. Marine Corps 1944).