A LIVING HELL
Battle Scarred Guam
President & CEO
Aileen Utterdyke
Board of Directors
Jeff Bell, Chairman
Alma Grocki, Vice Chairman, Michael "Swede" Olson, Secretary
Alan Mattson, Treasurer
James M. Boersema
Noel W. Bragg
Alan Hayashi
Dean Hazama
MISSION STATEMENT
To support the USS Arizona Memorial and other Pacific historic locations through education and interpretive programs, research, preservation, and restoration, to perpetuate the memory of events and honor the people involved in these sites.
Remembrance is published four times a year as a benefit to Friends of Pacific Historic Parks.
Board of Directors (cont.)
Patricia A. Lucas
Edward J. Lynch
Mark Y. Matsunaga
Dr. Ed H. Noh
Theodore "Ted" Peck
Clif Purkiser
Alby L. Saunders
Directors Emeritus
Neil A. Sheehan
Geoffrey M. White
Joachim P. Cox, Legal Advisor
Publication Advisers
Aileen Utterdyke
Edean Saito
Editor Jim McCoy
Layout & Design
Chase Nuuhiwa
Cover Photo: A bombed out church in Sumai, Guam. Courtesy Guampedia
OPRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE
This edition of Remembrance marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Guam.
ur coverage focuses on the years long occupation of Guam by Japanese forces and the firepower American forces needed to retake the islands. The impact on the island and people was severe and lasted well beyond the year of liberation. The historic capital city of Hagatna turned into a living hell as described in our lead article. It reminds us of the devastation of war and why we should never forget.
In this issue, we are excited to be able to share with you a story of the small island of Tinian, also in the Northern Marianas where the atomic bombs were put together that were ultimately used to end this war.
Connected to this was the USS Indianapolis. This was the heavy cruiser that delivered components of the atomic bomb to Tinian. On July 30, 1945 the cruiser was struck by Japanese torpedoes and sunk in shark infested waters.
This story, however, lives on. On April 26, 2024, University of Hawaii Naval ROTC held its commissioning aboard the USS Missouri. At the commissioning we learned that one of the newly commissioned officers has family ties to the USS Indianapolis disaster and the recovery of the surviving sailors.
Our stories continue in the present, with the amazing journey that Rosie the Riveter Jeanne Gibson took to attend the 80th Commemoration of the D-Day landings in Normandy. We had the
pleasure of meeting Jeanne at the 82nd Commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The still spry 98-year-old had two other major accomplishments this year. She was among a group of Rosies receiving a Congressional Gold Medal in Washington DC in April. For her June trip to Normandy, she had another heartfelt surprise waiting which you can read about in this edition of Remembrance.
The upcoming 83rd Commemoration is in its planning stage. We hope to continue to send you updates as plans are finalized. The most recent being the selection of Nikki Stratton, the granddaughter of USS Arizona Survivor Don Stratton, has agreed to deliver the keynote speech.
There’s a special website, Pearlharborevents.com. for all the latest information. Also visit our website at www.pacifichistoricparks.org for exclusive stories and press releases on major news stories and our social media posts.
We hope you enjoy this quarter’s compilation of stories. We want to extend our thanks to all our members who support our work. Your generous donations are key to helping us fulfill our mission to never forget the lessons of Pearl Harbor and World War II.
AILEEN UTTERDYKE President & CEO
A copy of the latest financial report, registration filed by this organization, and a description of our programs and activities may be obtained by contacting us at: 94-1187 Ka Uka Blvd., Waipahu, HI 96797, (808) 954-8777. Pacific Historic Parks was formed in Hawaii. If you are a resident of one of the following states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state agency: Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA), OR VISITING www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Registration #CH17306 Georgia: A full and fair description of our programs and our financial statement summary is available upon request at our office and phone number indicated above. Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage, from the Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Pacific Historic Parks may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State's office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement. Nevada: Contributions may be tax deductible pursuant to the provisions of sec. 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. ¤170(c). New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. New York: Upon request, from the Attorney General Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the state. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Pacific Historic Parks may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Virginia: From the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: From the Secretary of State at 1-800-332-4483 or http://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/ West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Wisconsin: A financial statement of the charitable organization disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue and expenses for the preceding fiscal year will be provided to any person upon request. REGISTRATION WITH A STATE AGENCY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THAT STATE. More information about charity state disclosures and charitable solicitation registrations.
City of Hagatña
THE TWICE-DESTROYED HISTORIC CAPITAL OF GUAM AND THE MARIANA ISLANDS.
By Carlos Madrid, Ph.D.,Director of Research. Micronesian Area Research Center
The city of Hagatña, with its deep historical roots and unique cultural significance, faced a tragic transformation in 1944 and 1947 that altered forever its landscape and the lives of its inhabitants.
For more than three centuries the city had grown, from the ancient settlement of Hagatña under the leadership of Chief Kepuha, to the Spanish colonial city of San Ignacio de Agaña, established in 1686. Improved by its residents and through the colonial rule of the US Navy in the first half of the 20th Century, by the early 1940´s Agaña had become a densely packed, beautifully quaint urban center, known for its long, ample streets that curved gracefully to accommodate the physical frame of the city: the stunning natural beauty of Agaña Bay to the north, and the Apugan cliff to the south.
The tranquility, daily lives, and historical continuity of Hagatña was violently disrupted in 1941 when Japanese imperial forces overthrew the US Navy and occupied Guam. For the people of Guam the effects of World War II were devastating. By July 1944, relentless resistance by the Japanese, and the decisive attacks of the US forces needed to push them out, had turned Hagatña into a living hell, a focal point of intense bombardment from both air and sea.
In their violent retreat, Japanese forces caused massive destruction, leaving the displaced civilian population to bear the brunt of the damages. By July 18, 1944, the once-bustling barrio of San Ignacio was almost entirely obliterated. The old Dorn Hall remained standing, but the government palace, a symbol of the island´s heritage, governance, and the political continuity of its community, had already received some impacts on the eastern side of its façade. Most of its roofing remained intact but its wooden components were shortly after burnt to ashes, although most of its stone skeleton, likely dating from the 18th century, survived. Some of the palace´s structures and its entire back façade remained relatively intact.
By 1945, about 80 to 90% of the city had burnt or was in ruins. Some areas had been less affected, like some sections of the Barrio de San Antonio, and the relatively intact Barrio de San Ramón.
This initial destruction of most of Hagatña during the war, was compounded during the postwar period. Three years after Guam was retaken and the people of Guam were struggling to rebuild their own lives, the city´s large number of ruins remained very visible. The majority of the residential buildings of Hagatña retained its stone walls and foundations, and some houses even retained their roofing. While most of the old streets had been wiped by the first bulldozing, many of the old streets were still visibly delineated.
subsequent bulldozing are still visible in the forms of empty lots, empty streets, and silent streets, as if still echoing the pain, sorrow, and despair of the civilian victims of military aggression and brutality.
Major Baker, of the US Corps of Engineers, was in charge of clearing the existing ruins. The complete bulldozing and clearing of streets may have aimed at modernizing the city from new grounds, but by implementing a blank slate policy, he caused a destruction of epic proportions that had severe consequences for the people of Guam. The highly controversial bulldozing blurred existing land lots, over which a new set of streets were over imposed. Such method for clearing debris, while relatively inexpensive, resulted in the creation of new streets and land lots, overlayed on the original urban properties now fragmented into a nightmarish mosaic of tiny bits, almost impossible to manage by its legitimate owners. This extensive property damage, which has yet to be fully addressed or compensated, affected negatively the lives of a whole generation of the people of Guam. The historical value and unique importance of Hagatña were irreparably damaged, and the city’s cultural landscape was forever altered.
The challenges of the post war period have left an indelible mark on the city and its people. The scars of the war and
The bombing first, and the bulldozing of Agaña later, were two catastrophic events that altered the course of the city’s history. Yet, through it all, the people of Guam in general, and the CHamoru people in particular, have relentlessly maintained ongoing efforts to restore its capital city. Today, the Hagatña Restoration and Redevelopment Authority is the government agency in charge of pushing for the master plan of the city. Hagatña stands as a city that has weathered the storms of history, and is in the process of recuperating its core. Those who should receive financial compensation towards Hagatña´s restoration and rehabilitation, demonstrated outstanding resilience in continuing to honor their heritage and rebuild their community in the face of overwhelming adversity. The history of Hagatña is a powerful reminder of the enduring human spirit and the importance of preventing the consequences of war, and a permanent testimony of the bravery and courage of the men who sacrificed their lives during the liberation of Guam.
GUAM’S FIRST LIBERATION DAY
By Father Eric Forbes
Year after year, as soon as July rolls around, the people of Guam anticipate a day off from work to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day on the Fourth of July.
But the real partying begins later in the month, when Guam celebrates its annual Liberation Day, recalling the invasion of the island by American Armed Forces on July 21 which was the beginning of the end of Japanese Occupation. The whole island starts planning for the biggest parade of the year, with the accompanying carnival and endless barbeques at the beach.
How different things were when the island celebrated its very first Liberation Day festivities seventy-nine years ago. It was July of 1945, exactly a year after the Marines, Army and Navy returned to Guam to claim it back for the United States. Twenty thousand Chamorros eagerly waited for the American return, although it would cost them the lives of many loved ones. When the Battle of Guam ended three weeks later, the Chamorros could breathe a sigh of relief. They, the ones who endured the Japanese Occupation, considered the American victory to be their liberation.
As the anniversary of that liberation neared, Guam’s primary educator, Mrs. Agueda Iglesias Johnston, mentioned to the American military authorities which still governed the island that some commemoration would be appropriate. At first, the authorities didn’t warm up to the idea. Although Guam had been liberated for a year, the war was still going on elsewhere. Guam was playing a role in ending that war, as American planes flew off from the island to bomb Japan. Perhaps the government thought Guam wasn’t in a condition yet to throw a
big party, as so much of the island still lay in ruins, with people living in rudimentary, temporary housing.
But Johnston got her permission eventually, and she organized Guam’s first Liberation Day. The central theme that governed this celebration was one of thanksgiving. The people, being very religious, attended a Catholic Mass on the morning of July 21, 1945 at the Plaza de España in the capital city, since the Cathedral had been destroyed in the war. Morning Masses in the outlying villages also gave thanks to Almighty God for the island’s liberation.
The graves of the many American servicemen who died to achieve that liberation were visited, and wreaths were laid on them. Mrs. Johnston hosted a dance party later in the day at a school, with military men mixing with the local population. In the village of Inalåhan, the people decorated their homes with palm fronds and hibiscus, and organized the party into seven groups, the same number used by the Japanese to organize the village. Admiral Chester Nimitz addressed the entire island by radio.
Guam’s first Liberation Day had no marching bands, parade, or carnival booths. It had, instead, prayers and localized parties, with tributes paid to fallen soldiers. The budget was small and the fanfare modest, but perhaps back then hearts swelled much larger than today with sentiments of gratitude for the return of freedom.
Chamorro boy scout laying a wreath at a fallen US soldier's grave.
Mass on the first Liberation Day, 1945.
THE USS INDIANAPOLIS TRAGEDY
By Tamara Zuniga-Brown Pacific Historic Parks Program Specialist
On July 30, 1945, the crew of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) had no idea that they had just delivered components of the atomic bomb to “Destination”, the island of Tinian in the Northern Marianas, where it would be assembled and dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6th.
The crew was too busy fighting for their lives in the open ocean 280 miles from land, because their heavy cruiser had been struck at 0015 on her starboard side by two torpedoes from an I-58 Japanese submarine.
Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis- the worst sea disaster in US Naval history.
“Indy” had sunk in 12 minutes and had taken approximately 300 of the 1,195 sailors and Marines down into the depths with her. Chief Warrant Officer Leonard Woods perished with them still sending SOS calls that were never successfully delivered due to a series of failures in military communications.
Of the nearly 900 injured and distressed souls in the water, only 316 would survive the 4 horror-filled days. The average age of these men was 18, and they were far too busy fighting off the hundreds of sharks that had eagerly gathered to feast at the blood-filled scene.
Fast forward to April 26, 2024, to the University of Hawaii’s 2024 NROTC Commissioning aboard the deck of the USS Missouri during a torrential rainstorm. Highlighting each graduating Midshipman’s story, the commanding officer speaking mentioned the astounding Naval family history of one of the graduates by connecting him with the famously descriptive monologue about this exact shark attack scene from the iconic movie Jaws.
SCAN TO SEE ICONIC SCENE FROM THE MOVIE JAWS
The USS Indianapolis (CA-35) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 10 July 1945, after her final overhaul. (Photo: National Archives)
PV-1 Lockheed Ventura (Left) Lt. Wilbur “Chuck” Gwinn (Right)
It hooked the audience’s attention.
Turns out, the newly commissioned ENS Zachary Barto is the great-grandson of the ‘Guardian Angel’ of the USS Indianapolis, US Navy pilot Lt. (j.g.) Wilbur “Chuck” Gwinn, who was first to spot the few survivors from his Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Bomber on a routine sector search for enemy submarines in the wide-open ocean.
Decades later, “Indy” survivors related that groups of men would tie their life belts together to form a circle and protect the wounded men in the middle. Teary-eyed men reported sharks repeatedly bumped against their legs as they witnessed their dead and injured shipmates being picked off at first by night, and then by up to 100 a day.
Survivors stated many men died of starvation, dehydration, saltwater poisoning in their joints, or drank oily salt water and began hallucinating and hearing voices. They saw some men swim away from the groups and become easy prey, while others killed the man next to him, or committed suicide.
A few managed to find humor in their gruesome situation and named one of the bigger sharks “Charlie”. Others said they threw cans of Spam they couldn’t open at the beasts attacking from below.
None would have survived had it not been for Lt (j.g.) Wilbur “Chuck” Gwinn flying his Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Bomber on a routine sector search from Peleliu.
At 10:23 on the morning of August 2, 1945, Gwinn spotted an oil slick and flew lower to take a closer look. Also trying to pin down an antenna that had come loose, he saw an unbelievable sight that turned out to be an oily life vest reflecting off the bright and clear morning sun. Spotting the ‘boys’ in the water he remembers thinking to himself, “But for the grace of God. There go I.”
As soon as he heard desperate screams for help and saw men thrashing about to attract attention, Gwinn immediately dispatched all nearby units to the scene and dropped life rafts and a radio transmitter. A few hours later, LCDR Adrian Marks
Consolidated Aircraft P.B.Y. Catalina (Right)
Lt. Adrian Marks (Left)
U.S. Navy Captain Charles B. McVay of the U.S.S. Indianapolis during World War II was courtmartialed for the sinking that killed nearly 900 men. He was exonerated posthumously in 2000.
landed his PBY-5A Catalina against orders, and with his crew, strapped 53 survivors to the wings with parachute chords, and transformed into a lifeboat.
Rescuers raced in from the air and sea.
Chuck Gwinn’s family continues to honor the memory of the USS Indianapolis. His wife, Norma Gwinn, helped establish the USS Indianapolis/Gwinn “Angel” Scholarship in 2008 “to benefit family members of the ship’s crew and help preserve its historic legacy”. The family also sponsors other USS Indianapolis organizations, including the non-profit USS Indianapolis (CA-35) Legacy Organization.
ENS Barto radiates with respect when he talks about the honor he feels to serve and protect the United States of America. He is “extremely proud of his Navy family’s history”.
He also promised to watch the blockbuster 1974 movie “Jaws” and swears he will pay the closest of attention to actor Robert Shaw’s rendition about what happened to the crew of the USS Indianapolis.
Rest assured this newly commissioned Navy Ensign will forge his own path.
Survivors of the U.S.S. Indianapolis being treated on Guam and aboard rescue vessels
D-DAY MAIL CALL FOR A
Special Rosie
By Tamara Zuniga-Brown, Pacific Historic Parks Program Specialist
On June 8, 2024, 98-year-old Rosie the Riveter, Jeanne Gibson opened her top-secret “Mail Call” on a chartered American Airlines Honor Flight. Jeanne was flying back across the Atlantic Ocean from a momentous week commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings by American and Allied forces on June 6, 1944, in Normandy where 9,000 American WWII troops are buried.
She was one of three women in a group of 68 World War II veterans, and a Holocaust survivor, between the ages of 96 and 107. Jeanne’s surprise “Mail Call” had been initiated by her guardian, Monica Wiley, who had reached out to Pacific Historic Parks the day after the Rosie the Riveters were collectively recognized and awarded their first Congressional Gold Medal in Washington D.C. on April 10, 2024. The medal was for the invaluable contributions of approximately 6 million women working on the home front during WWII.
Sponsored by the nonprofit Old Glory Honor Flight, “Mail Call” is a tribute to a time-honored way used to express gratitude and boost morale for fighting on the frontlines during WWII. Pacific Historic Parks had the tremendous honor of organizing and coordinating this wonderful effort with teachers and students from local elementary and high schools in Hawaii. Friends and families jumped in as did National Park Rangers, sailors from the USS Arizona Honor Detachment, and hundreds of visitors at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial from across America and the world.
Our combined efforts for Jeanne’s historic trip consisted of more than 430 letters and messages written on Rosie the Riveter inspired stationery. Turned out that anyone who caught wind of the project joined in, and we all learned a lot.
When Jeanne turned 18 the summer of 1944, she took a bus to Seattle with her friend, Esther Harri, and they worked long, cold evening shifts, sometimes up to seven days straight, as welders at the Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle. When they received their first paycheck, the girls bought long underwear to keep warm under their jeans and leather overalls. Jeanne tells the story that one night after work, she and Esther had gone to a café where a waitress refused to serve them because of the way they were dressed.
A year later, the young welders ventured north to work in Juneau, Alaska. Jeanne’s worked for the Army Transportation Corps’ Port of Embarkation. Her job was “to duplicate manifests and hatch lists for ships” before they sailed off with the lumber that
was to be used to build new bases on the US captured islands. Hatch lists showed where each piece of the lumber cargo was stored so they could offload faster, and manifests were complete list of cargo and passengers onboard.
Jeanne was in Juneau on V-J Day in 1945. One of her memories that day is a street where enlisted men were celebrating by cutting off the ties of officers.
Settling in the Bay Area in 1946, Jeanne quit her first job when she learned that her male counterpart was making $5.00 more a month and quit her second job after learning she would not be promoted past a certain position because as a woman who would “get married and leave to have babies.”
So, she did. Then, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree followed by a PhD in Educational Psychology.
The extraordinary trip Rosie the Riveter, Jeanne Gibson, took to Normandy for the 80th Commemoration of D-Day is one for the history books. When she boarded the sponsored American Airlines Honor Charter at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on June 4th, Jeanne was accompanied by two other ‘older’ woman veterans: fellow Rosie, 99 year-old, Connie Palacios, and 100 year-old US Navy WAVES 3rd class aviation machinist, Marjorie Stone.
On the flight back to California on June 8th, Jeanne was wonderfully surprised and deeply touched by the hundreds of letters and messages she received. She beams when she talks about her Rosie days, because she loved her work and took great pride in it. Jeanne insists that “Without World War II and what happened, I would be an entirely different person…It gave me some backbone.”
You can find Jeanne Gibson at the Rosie the Riveter WW2 Home Front National Park in Richmond, CA where she volunteers every Friday, and keeps the Rosie story alive.
80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF SAIPAN
Legacy members, sons of marines who fought on Saipan were welcomed on Green Beach 2 to re-enact the landing that took place 80 years ago.
Prayer for the Dead
George W. Blake Fort Kamehameha Homelake, CO
Herbert J. Elfring
NPS Rangers, PHP Education Specialist, and Superintendent Alberti join Harry Blanco, OIA Representative to the CNMI and Keone Nakoa, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Insular and International Affairs for a photo at the ceremony.
“Eternal rest grant unto them and let perpetual light shine upon them and may they rest in peace.”
Leonard Crofford Wheeler Army Airfield Thompsonville, IL
Camp Malokole Jackson, MI
Charles W. Grim USS Argonne Lititz, PA
NPS Superintendent Barbara Alberti giving the welcoming remarks.
You Make it Happen!
The Legacy Society
Createalegacythatwillensurehistorywillneverbeforgotten
Since 1980, millions of people from every state of our nation and from 40 countries around the world have seen, experienced, and been inspired by the valor and sacrifices of the Greatest Generation at Pearl Harbor and throughout the Pacific Basin. The Legacy Society was created to acknowledge and celebrate family and friends who desire to keep history alive and to honor the sacrifices of the World War II generation. Members have affirmed Pacific Historic Parks in their estate plans or through other planned gifting arrangements.
Planned gifts provide a unique opportunity to preserve our country’s military heritage through supporting Pacific Historic Parks while possibly receiving tax benefits on income.
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A wreath laying at the Marianas Memorial in remembrance of the over 900 indigenous civilians who lost their lives as a result of the war.
