I have always had a feeling of deep satisfaction in having been the commander of one of the assault elements that returned the American flag to Guam. The island once more stands ready to fulfill its destiny as an American fortress in the Pacific.
The conquest of Guam was a decisive triumph of combined arms over a formidable Japanese defensive force which took full advantage of the island's rugged terrain.
The heroic action of the veteran Marines who seized Orote Peninsula and Apra Harbor gave the Navy a much-needed advance base for further operations in the Pacific. Once marine and Army units captured northern Guam, engineers moved in and out from the jungle the airfields from which the Twentieth Air Force launched B-29 raids, bringing the full realization of war to the Japanese homeland.
LEMUEL C. SHEPHERD, JR.
GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
Preface
THE RECAPTURE OF GUAM is the twelfth in a series of operational monographs prepared by the Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps, designed to give the military student and the casual reader an accurate and detailed account of the operations in which Marines participated during World War II. When sufficient of these monographs have been completed they will be integrated into a final Operational History of the Marine Corps in World War II.
With Army units fighting directly beside the Marines throughout most of the campaign, Army activities are treated herein with sufficient detail to give the proper perspective to the overall account.
Many officers and men who participated in this campaign have contributed to the preparation of this monograph by generously answering specific inquiries, commenting on preliminary drafts, or submitting to interview. Grateful acknowledgment is made herewith. Special recognition is extended to Office of Naval History, Naval Records and Library, and Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army--in particular Dr. Philip A. Crowl and Mr. Thomas G. Wilds of the Pacific Section. Appreciation for the extensive research required in presenting an accurate and complete account of the campaign, especially as to the Japanese viewpoint, is extended to Mr. Henry I. Shaw, Jr. Finally, the help of Lieutenant Colonel Frank O. Hough in editing the manuscript is acknowledged with gratitude. Maps included herein were prepared by the Reproduction Section, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia. Official Marine Corps photographs have been used to illustrate this monograph unless otherwise noted.
T. A. WORNHAM
BRIGADIER GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, G-3
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