Day 287: Manenggon Camp, Yona, Guam
📌 APIA Every Day (287) - Manenggon Camp, located between the villages of Yona and Talo’fo’fo on the island of Guam, is a historical site that holds deep significance to the people of Guam. It is primarily known as the location where over 20,000 CHamoru civilians were incarcerated by the Japanese military during World War II, between 1944 and 1945. The campsite, situated in a lush, forested area, is marked by a memorial to honor the lives affected by wartime imprisonment and suffering. Manenggon Camp is a key historical landmark for those seeking to understand the hardships endured by the CHamoru people during the war, as well as the broader impact of Guam’s occupation during the conflict.
The history of Manenggon Camp is rooted in the brutal occupation of Guam by the Japanese military, which began in 1941 and lasted until the American recapture of the island in 1944. During this time, the CHamoru population faced extreme violence, displacement, and forced labor. The hardship intensified when the Japanese military forced civilians to march to a remote area between Yona and Talo’fo’fo, aiming to control the CHamoru population ahead of the American military’s impending arrival. The conditions at the camp were harsh, with inadequate food, shelter, and medical supplies. Many suffered from disease, malnutrition, and the trauma of displacement. After the liberation of Guam by American forces in 1944, Manenggon Camp became a site of remembrance, symbolizing the suffering of the CHamoru people during the war.
The site of Manenggon Camp is an important reflection of the CHamoru people's connection to the land and their resilience through history. The loss of land, livelihood, and family ties due to the incarceration created a profound sense of displacement. However, the site also embodies the CHamoru people’s enduring connection to their ancestral roots, as it represents both a painful chapter in their history and a testament to their survival and strength. The recognition of Manenggon Camp as a National Historic Landmark in December 2024 as a site of memory and respect is part of a larger effort to heal and reconnect with the land, ensuring that the stories of those who suffered there are never forgotten.
Written by Billy Zeng
LEARN MORE:
Post Guam: Mañenggon concentration camp designated as a National Historic Landmark
National Park Service: Manenggon: A Time of Sorrow and Pain
National Park Service: National Historic Landmark Executive Summary
Guampedia: War Atrocities: Manenggon Concentration Camp
Guampdn: Manenggon service honors, memorializes war victims
Guampdn: Mañenggon Memorial Foundation seeks WWII survivor photos, stories
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