Chamorro People's WWII Ordeal and the Battle of Guam

The Chamorro people, native to the Mariana Islands and mostly residing on Guam, endured Japanese occupation during WWII and the devastating Battle of Guam. After the US seized Guam from Spain in 1898, the island became a US territory. Japan invaded on December 10, 1941, one hour after Pearl Harbor, overwhelming a small American garrison of 274 sailors, 153 Marines, and 120 Insular Force guardsmen. Governor George McMillin surrendered after two days to avoid annihilation. During 31 months of occupation, the Japanese military government expanded airfields and port facilities, imposed curfews and food rationing, and forced 18,000 civilians into concentration camps at Manenggon Valley in July 1944. Chamorros resisted through nonviolent means, including hiding American radioman George Tweed, running illicit radio stations, and guiding US reconnaissance platoons. Father Jesus Baza Duenas was executed for denouncing Japanese rule. The Second Battle of Guam began on July 21, 1944, with 59,000 US attackers facing 18,000 Japanese defenders; about 3,000 Americans died and the Japanese garrison was nearly wiped out. Over 1,000 Chamorros died from battle, atrocities, and disease. After the war, Chamorros were ineligible for Japanese reparations because Guam was a US territory. The Guam World War II Reconciliation Act of 2021 authorized direct payments, and by 2023, $4.13 million had been issued to survivors and families.