Day 182: Asan Beach Unit, War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam
📌APIA Every Day (182) - The Asan Beach Unit, one of the seven units in the War in the Pacific National Park, has a varied historical background. Originally, the site hosted a leper colony from 1892 until a typhoon destroyed it in 1900. In 1901, the area was converted into a prison camp for Filipino insurrectionists. During World War I in 1917, it became a detention site for German sailors from the SMS Cormoran. By 1922, the site had been repurposed as a U.S. Marine Corps camp, featuring a quartermaster depot, small arms range, and barracks.
During World War II, Asan Beach's strategic importance increased significantly. In 1941, Japanese forces began reconnaissance missions over Guam and bombed the island in early December, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This led to the Japanese occupation of Guam. The local CHamoru population was subjected to forced labor, including the construction of defensive structures and cultivation of food for Japanese troops. The U.S. began an extensive bombardment of Asan and Agat beaches on June 16, 1944, in preparation for a planned invasion. Despite delays due to other engagements, the invasion was rescheduled for July 21, 1944.
On July 21, 1944, U.S. Marines landed on Asan Beach under heavy Japanese defense. The Marines managed to secure the area by July 28, though fighting continued until August 10. Following World War II, the area served various purposes, including as a Navy Seabees headquarters and a Vietnamese refugee camp. It is now part of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, which preserves historical resources and memorials related to the Battle of Guam, such as the Liberator's Memoria. The retaking of Guam is commemorated annually on July 21st, known as “Liberation Day.”
LEARN MORE:
National Park Service: Assan/Asan Beach
National Park Service: Asan Beach Unit
National Park Service: Assan Beach Photos
The Guam Daily Post: A double dose of history and a shot of tranquility
Guampedia: Asan-Maina (Assan-Ma’ina)
YouTube: LIBERATION 75 | Asan Beach Park
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