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45-581: Following the end of the first Battle of Guam , on December 10, 1941, Japanese armed forces occupied the island. The Japanese viewed the native Chamorro people as inferior and untrustworthy, and over the course of the occupation subjected them to forced labor and cultural repression. The harsh treatment led to growing animosity from the Chamorro and suspicion from the Japanese about their loyalties. By early 1944, American forces had made westward gains across

90-465: A few Marines and Insular Force guardsmen fought with the Japanese naval soldiers. After token post-invasion resistance, the Marines, on McMillin's orders, surrendered at 05:45. McMillin officially surrendered at 06:00. A few skirmishes took place all over the island before news of the surrender spread and the rest of the island forces laid down their arms. YP-16 was scuttled by means of fire, and YP-17

135-753: A garrison which was designated the South Seas, Defense Force. Japan gained a mandate over the islands from the League of Nations in December 1920, and they were administered by the South Seas Bureau which formed part of the Ministry of Overseas Affairs. Japanese colonists were permitted to settle in the Marianas, and by the late-1930s there were more colonists than natives in the islands. In 1935

180-615: A refueling point for Pan Am flying boats and was one of the relay points for the Pacific Cable Company's telegraph cable which linked the Philippines to the U.S. west coast. In 1941, the island was given a "Category F" defense rating; this ruled out the construction of new defenses and meant that, when war broke out, Guam's defenders were to destroy all facilities of military value and withdraw. Despite this and with only small arms available to them for their defense,

225-514: A small number of machine guns. The Insular Force Guard included 246 men, most of whom had received little training. The Marines and Insular Force Guard were equipped with 170 M1903 Springfield rifles, 13 Lewis guns and 15 Browning Automatic Rifles . The defenders did not have any mortars or artillery other than the guns on board Penguin . In addition to these military units, Guam's police force (the Guam Insular Patrol ) had

270-603: A strength of 80 men who were armed only with pistols. At 04:44 on 8 December McMillin was informed of the attack on Pearl Harbor . At 08:27 Japanese land-based aircraft from Saipan attacked the Marine barracks, Piti Navy Yard, Libugon radio station, Standard Oil Company, and the Pan American Hotel. During the air attack, the USS Penguin was sunk after shooting down at least one Japanese aeroplane. One officer

315-722: Is the northern physical marker of the Piti Bomb Holes Marine Preserve . The Preserve off the northeastern coast of the village has two beaches: Tepungan Beach Park and the Pedro Santos Memorial Park . Cabras Island , now artificially connected to the mainland, contains the main power plants for Guam and the Port of Guam and is accessible from the intersection of Marine Corps Drive and Guam Highway 11 , known as Cabras Road. The Glass Breakwater that extends westward from Cabras Island protects

360-477: The Pacific Ocean . It is the largest of the islands, with an area of 225 square miles. Guam's interior is rugged, with heavy tropical forests in the north of the island and wooded hills in the south. Much of the island's coastline is edged with coral reefs and cliffs, though beaches suitable for landing troops exist in the center of the west coast. Guam has a tropical climate, though December forms part of

405-608: The Japanese Government banned Westerners from entering its mandated islands in the Pacific and in 1939 established the 4th Fleet to defend the region. While the United States considered increasing Guam's defenses during and after World War I, no action was taken other than to deploy a USMC seaplane unit to the island in 1921. The outcomes of the 1922 Washington Naval Conference included an agreement by both

450-581: The Japanese to overcommit resources and attack Guam with disproportionate force. The Japanese landed about 400 troops of the 5th Defence Force from Saipan on Guam in the early morning of 10 December 1941 at Dungcas Beach, north of Agana. They attacked and quickly defeated the Insular Force Guard in Agana. They advanced on Piti, moving toward Sumay and the Marine barracks. The principal engagement took place on Agana's Plaza de España at 04:45 when

495-764: The Marianas Yacht Club. The yacht club is on Sasa Bay , another of Guam's marine preserves, located between Drydock Island and Polaris Point to the south. Polaris Point, the home base of Submarine Squadron 15 , and other Naval Base Guam coastal area along northern Inner Apra Harbor to the east of Marine Corps Drive fall within Piti. The village boundary with Santa Rita is the Atantano River . Inland of Marine Corps Drive are two military fuel tank farms under Joint Region Marianas at Sasa Valley and Tenjo Valley. The tank farms are supplied by two fuel wharves at

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540-726: The Pacific Ocean, prompting the Japanese to reinforce the island and expand its defenses. The Chamorro were forced to build the airstrips at Orote and Tiyan . In late June, American forces succeeded in the Battle of Saipan in the nearby Mariana Islands . This blocked communications between the Japanese forces in Guam and the high command in Tokyo. Facing imminent invasion, the Japanese Imperial Army became concerned with

585-414: The Philippines to pick up supplies and enable the crew to buy Christmas presents and was directed to remain there. The minesweeper USS  Penguin was present at the island, along with the immobile oil depot ship Robert L. Barnes , and two old yard patrol boats YP-16 and YP-17 . Marine barracks, Sumay, had a strength of 145 men who were organised into a company armed with rifles and

630-462: The Spanish introduced the first rice paddy fields in Piti in the 1830s. Cultivation of rice in Piti continued through World War II . While Piti served as the main port entry for Guam, the village of Sumay , located on the southern shore of Apra Harbor, was the favored stop for the whaling ships of the early nineteenth century. During the 1898 American Capture of Guam , Piti was the location of

675-475: The U.S. Marines stationed on the island under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William K. MacNulty , fortified their positions and put up a defense against the subsequent Japanese aerial assault of the island, while suffering losses and other casualties of nearly one-third of their complement. Despite the low priority accorded to Guam, some minor steps were taken by other commands to improve Guam's defenses before war broke out. A contract for minor improvements to

720-479: The U.S. Navy's General Board provided Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox with a report on Guam's defenses which recommended against reinforcing the island because of the difficulties of defending it and the need to allocate resources to other priorities. The report argued in favor of continuing to improve Guam's harbor and seaplane facilities. At the outbreak of war on 8 December 1941 (local time), Guam

765-459: The United States and Japanese governments that they would not further fortify the islands they administered in the western Pacific, including the Marianas. As a result, no improvements were made to Guam's defenses during the 1920s and 1930s, the island's coastal artillery battery was removed by 1930, and the USMC seaplane unit departed in 1931. The U.S. Navy sought permission to build fortifications on

810-568: The abuses, Chamorros loyal to the United States protected Tweed. Tweed managed to evade the Japanese during their occupation of Guam for 2 years and 7 months until he was rescued prior to the Second Battle of Guam . Piti, Guam Piti is a village located on the central west coast of the United States territory of Guam . It contains northern and eastern coastlines of Apra Harbor , including Cabras Island , which has

855-503: The battle. Six U.S. Navy seamen evaded capture by the Japanese rather than surrender; five were eventually retaken by the Japanese and beheaded, while Radioman First Class George Ray Tweed survived with the help of local Chamorros . They moved him from village to village, sometimes endangering their own families for his protection. The Japanese knew that an unknown American could not hide without some form of help. Consequently, Chamorro suspects were questioned, tortured, and beheaded. Despite

900-654: The camp. A small refugee camp was established at Manenggon, renamed Camp Yona, to house about two thousand Chamorro who were interred in Talo'fo'fo to the south. In 2004, the Manenggon Memorial Peace Park was opened to commemorate the sacrifices of the Chamorro during the war. The location of the camp was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 14, 2016. Battle of Guam (1941) 1941 1942 The Battle of Guam

945-403: The commercial Port of Guam and the island's largest power plants. Piti was a pre-Spanish CHamoru village and, after Spanish colonization, became the primary port town on Guam. The town was largely destroyed during the 1944 liberation of Guam and the population relocated during the wartime construction of Apra Harbor. Piti is located along the coastline between the villages of Asan-Maina in

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990-603: The dry season. The United States captured Guam from the Kingdom of Spain on 21 June 1898 during the Spanish–American War . The next year Spain sold the other islands in the Marianas chain to Germany . The United States Navy established a facility near the village of Piti in 1899, and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) opened a barracks at Sumay in 1901. A naval coaling station

1035-671: The end of Drydock Island. The village of Piti contains three NRHP -listed properties on land: the Atantano Shrine , the oldest portion of which commemorates the 1784-85 construction of the Piti-Hagåtña road; the Piti Guns , hauled by CHamoru forced labor into the hills during the Japanese occupation but not in operation at the time of the 1944 liberation ; and the Quan Outdoor Oven , a 20th century example of

1080-545: The formal Spanish surrender. The following year, the Americans established a Navy Yard at Piti, followed by a USDA agricultural experiment station in 1909. The Piti Navy Yard was one of the primary targets of Japanese bombing during the 1941 Japanese invasion , driving many residents to flee north on the road to Hagåtña. During the Japanese occupation of Guam , CHamorus were forced to expand Piti's rice fields to help feed

1125-527: The intersection of Marine Corps Drive and Guam Highway 6 , known as Spruance Halsey Drive. Taguag Cemetery is located uphill on Highway 6, which provides southern access to Nimitz Hill , as well as Nimitz Hill Annex in Asan. Immediately south of this intersection is the intersection with Guam Highway 18 , which provides access to Drydock Island, a small peninsula extending eastward into Apra Harbor. This provides access to Cabras Marina, military fuel wharves, and

1170-477: The island in 1938, but this proposal was rejected. In 1941 Guam had a population of 23,394, most of whom lived in or within 10 miles (16 km) of the island's capital of Agana . The island had about 85 miles (137 km) of improved roads, and Apra Harbor was considered the best in the Marianas, but the island did not have an airfield. Japanese plans for the Pacific War included capturing Guam in

1215-585: The island until the Spanish began to improve Apra Harbor in the early 1700s. After the 1740s and when the winds were favorable, most ships anchored in Apra Harbor and ferried their cargo to shore in small boats. From there, it was pulled in two-wheeled carts from Piti to the government store in Hagåtña . The crushed limestone road between Piti and Hagåtña was the only real road on Guam in this period. While pre-contact Chamorus had grown rice in natural swamps,

1260-600: The local population from the harbor shoreline. Notable residents include Benjamin Cruz (born 1951), a lawyer and politician. The U.S. Census Bureau identifies two census-designated places in Piti: Piti, and Nimitz Hill . Guam Department of Education operates non-military public schools. Jose Rios Middle School is located in Piti. Secondary students go to Southern High School in Santa Rita . In regards to

1305-540: The military facilities on Guam was issued in April 1941, and work began the next month. The Guam Insular Force Guard , which was a local militia responsible for protecting the naval base, was also slightly expanded in May. On 17 October dependents of American military personnel on the island were evacuated to the United States by the transport USS  Henderson , followed by more than 1,000 construction workers. On 23 October

1350-529: The north and Santa Rita in the south. Its inland areas, which include Mount Tenjo (305 metres (1,001 ft)) and Mount Chacao (309 metres (1,014 ft)), borders Yona . Guam Highway 1 , known as Marine Corps Drive, runs along the mainland coastline of the village. The Asan Memorial Beach Unit of War in the Pacific National Historical Park is at the northern boundary of Piti and the small hilly peninsula at Asan Invasion Beach

1395-543: The northern side of Apra Harbor . Most of the village population is located uphill of the intersection of Marine Corps Drive and Cabras Road. Jose L.G. Rios Middle School, the Piti Guns Unit of War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, and village government buildings are located here. The Guam Veterans Cemetery is located immediately south, at

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1440-540: The occupying troops. They were also forced to haul coastal defense guns into the Piti hillside, though they were not operational by the time of the American liberation in 1944. The U.S. military substantially reconstructed and altered the shoreline of Apra Harbor as Guam became a major base for the remainder of the Pacific War . In 1948, the U.S. government declared an eminent domain taking of parts of Piti, as well as Sumay and Agat , for little or no compensation, moving

1485-399: The overnight march treacherous. Roughly 10,000 Chamorros, nearly half the island's population, were housed at the main camp. The Chamorro were forced to build their own camp without any building supplies and very little food. Nearby natural food sources were quickly depleted, and the Japanese banned any use of fire so as to not alert American forces. On July 21, 1944, American forces landed on

1530-418: The population of over 21,000 hostile Chamorro. On July 4, Colonel Okabe Eichi issued an order calling for the Chamorro populations of the three largest villages to be moved to Mangilao . Within a week, the Chamorro across the island were rounded up and forcibly marched to the village or to other small camps. The Chamorros were then largely marched to Manenggon with a few sent to smaller camps. A rain storm made

1575-489: The prior Japanese air assault of the island, the Marines' losses were 13 dead and 37 wounded ). The U.S. Navy lost eight killed, and four of the Guam Insular Force Guards were killed and 22 others wounded. One Japanese naval soldier was killed and six wounded. Private First Class John Kauffman was killed by the Japanese after the surrender. Thirteen American civilians were killed by the Japanese during

1620-511: The southwest beaches of Guam. Disorganized and exhausted, the Japanses forces retreated to the north. General Roy Geiger announced the capture of the entire island on August 10. It is uncertain how the Americans learned of Manenggon or how it was liberated. The survivors at Manenggon followed the Marines to the camp on Mount Tenjo . They then walked to Piti where they were trucked out to refugee camps at Agat . Few official records were kept on

1665-530: The traditional oven introduced by the Spanish in the 17th century. Two NRHP-listed shipwrecks, the SMS ; Cormoran and Tokai Maru , that lie at the bottom of Apra Harbor are technically within Piti. Piti was an ancient CHamoru settlement before the arrival of Europeans. Its name likely derives from the CHamoru word puti , meaning to hurt or ache. However, the village was not strategically important on

1710-557: The war's early days. From March 1941, Japanese aircraft flew photo reconnaissance sorties over the island. Plans for the invasion of the island were completed in September 1941, and the South Seas Detachment was selected as the main unit responsible for this. The South Seas Detachment included the 144th Infantry Regiment and other units detached from the 55th Division , a total of 4,886 men. The South Seas Detachment

1755-476: Was also available to provide support if needed. The landing force and naval units were supported by the 18th Naval Air Corps, which was based at Saipan and equipped with obsolete floatplanes. The United States government did not believe that it would be possible or practical to defend Guam if it was attacked. The island was not seen as being useful in efforts to reinforce the Philippines , though it served as

1800-523: Was an engagement during the Pacific War in World War II , and took place from 8 December to 10 December 1941 on Guam in the Mariana Islands between Japan and the United States . The American garrison was defeated by Japanese forces on 10 December, which resulted in an occupation until the Second Battle of Guam in 1944. Guam is the southernmost part of the Mariana Islands in

1845-506: Was captured by Japanese naval forces. An American freighter was damaged by the Japanese. In the meantime the Japanese South Seas Detachment (about 5,500 men) under the command of Major General Tomitarō Horii made separate landings at Tumon Bay in the north, on the southwest coast near Merizo, and on the eastern shore of the island at Talofofo Bay. U.S. Marine losses were five killed and 13 wounded (including

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1890-672: Was concentrated in Korea during November 1941 and, following a brief stay in Japan, sailed for Chichi-jima in the Bonin Islands late that month. The 370-man strong 5th Company of the 2nd Maizuru Special Naval Landing Force , which was based at Saipan in the Marianas, was also assigned to join the assault on Guam. These units would be transported to Guam by nine transports escorted by the minelayer Tsugaru and four destroyers . The 6th Cruiser Division, composed of four heavy cruisers ,

1935-606: Was defended by small US Navy and USMC units as well as the Insular Force Guard. Captain George McMillin , who was the island's governor and the overall commander of the garrison, was in charge of naval forces, Guam, which amounted to 271 personnel and four nurses. This force was a subordinate unit of the Asiatic Fleet , and most of its personnel were unarmed. Guam's guard ship, the USS ; Gold Star , had sailed to

1980-442: Was established on the island in 1905, and a battery of six 6-inch (15 cm) guns was emplaced to strengthen Guam's defenses in 1909. A U.S. Navy captain served as both governor of Guam and commander of the naval base from 1899 onwards, though there were some elements of a civilian government on the island. During World War I , Japanese forces captured German-controlled islands in the Marianas during October 1914 and established

2025-894: Was killed and several men wounded. The air raids all over Guam continued into the morning and afternoon before subsiding at 17:00. At 08:30 on 9 December Japanese air attacks resumed, with no more than nine aircraft attacking at a time. The same targets as the previous day were attacked, and also the Government House in Agana and several villages. That evening, a Japanese invasion fleet of four heavy cruisers, four destroyers, two gunboats , six submarine chasers , two minesweepers, two destroyer tenders , and ten transports ( Yokohama Maru , China Maru , Cheribin Maru , Clyde Maru , Daifuku Maru , Kogyoku Maru , Matsue Maru , Moji Maru , Nichimei Maru , and Venice Maru ) left Saipan for Guam. A mistake in their intelligence gathering had caused

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