On January 18th 2025, YCAPS sponsored a Second World War history tour on Guam, led by Anthony Boccia. The group of sixteen met at the War in the Pacific T. Snell Newman visitor’s center outside Naval Base Guam, where they explored the history of the war, Guam’s part in it, and surrounding events including the American and Japanese occupations. Outside the visitor’s center is one of four extant Imperial Japanese Navy midget submarines in the world, a type “C”, Ha. 62-76.
Following the museum, the group headed down to Ga’an point in the village of Agat, Where the U.S Army 77th Infantry Division and 1st Provisional Marine Brigade came ashore south of Orote Peninsula. There was a brief explanation of how the troops came ashore, and some of the sites that are close to the area such as Hill 40 and Mt. Alifan, where bloody fighting took place between the Americans and the Imperial Japanese Army. After exploring some weapons and fortifications that remain in place, the group broke for lunch.
The group reconvened at Asan Beach, where the 3rd Marine Division landed, north of the Orote Peninsula. On one side of the beach is a small ridge which commands the high ground for the immediate area, there are some fortifications that remain on the shoreline and these were inspected and explored as well. Here, the tour learned about the objectives of the American forces, which was to establish a perimeter in the north, take the high ground to the east, and join up with the 77th in the south in order to cut off and occupy the Orote Peninsula.
After Asan Ridge, the tour moved to the Piti Guns, where three coastal defense guns were situated just prior to the American invasion. These were incomplete and never fired a shot during the Second World War.
The final stop was Asan Bay overlook, with a commanding view of the northern invasion beaches, Cabras Island, and the Orote Peninsula, where the Americans strived to capture the airfield, and Apra Harbor. The group examined the memorial wall where the names of the American Servicemen who died in the battle, and the Chamoru people who were victimized during the Japanese occupation and killed in the fighting.
After the tour, members of the group ended their day at Carabao Brewingin Hagatna. Overall, it was a very successful tour, and we look forward to the next one!