Battle of Guam 

US #GM2 – Overprinted Guam Guard Mail stamp from 1930.

On July 21, 1944, US troops landed on Guam, initiating a three-week battle to recapture the island.

The largest of the Mariana Islands, Guam had been a United States possession since its capture from Spain in 1898.  However, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces took the island on December 10, 1941.

US #GM3 – 1930 Guam Guard Mail stamp.

In June 1944, the Allies launched Operation Forager to capture the Mariana Islands and Palau in the Pacific.  They chose Saipan, Tinian, and Guam because of their size and ability to serve as supporting bases for the next phase of operations against the Philippines, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands.

The invasion of Saipan came first, on June 15.  The plan was to then invade Guam on June 18; however, there was a much larger Japanese force on Saipan than expected, so the battle for Guam had to be delayed for over a month.

While the battle for Saipan continued, American naval and air forces bombarded Guam.  A week before the invasion, underwater demolition teams came in and removed beach obstacles.  The battle for Guam officially began on July 21, 1944, with members of the 3rd Marine Division landing at 8:29 a.m.  The Japanese put up a stiff defense, sinking 20 US LVTs and inflicting many casualties.  But the Marines pressed on and had men and tanks on two beaches by 9:00 a.m.

US #2838 honors the battles and events of 1944 in the war.

The island’s reefs, cliffs, and heavy surf made the invasion difficult, but the Allies managed to secure two beachheads 6,600 feet deep by the first night.  The Japanese launched several counterattacks at night, but all were repelled with high casualties.

It was initially difficult for the Americans to get supplies, as their landing ships couldn’t come any closer than the reef.  But by July 25, they joined both beachheads, and then captured the Orote airfield and Apra Harbor by July 30.

US #4286 pictures the flag of Guam. The red border represents the bloodshed during Spanish rule and World War II.

By early August, the Japanese were running out of food and ammunition and sought to make a stand in the mountains.  But as the Allies controlled the surrounding sea and air, all the Japanese could do was delay their inevitable defeat.  The Japanese line eventually collapsed; their resistance ended on August 10, and the island was declared secure.  A few Japanese soldiers remained in the jungle, including one who was discovered in 1972 after living in a cave for 28 years!

US #4286 – Fleetwood First Day Cover.

After the battle, Guam served as an Allied base with five large airfields.  These airfields were used to launch attacks on targets in the Western Pacific and Japan.  Today, the people of Guam celebrate July 21 as Liberation Day.

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9 Comments

  1. My deceased husband served in the Navy and was stationed on Guam in the early sixties for two years. He told me of the Japanese soldiers still remaining in the mountains. I didn’t realize that one was found so late after WWII. Very interesting! Thanks!

  2. Does anybody know what happened to the man from the cave ? Is he still alive ? Just wondering.

    1. His name was Hiroo Onoda.He wrote a paperback book about his exploits on the island.He hid out for 28 years.He did not know the war was over!He vowed never to surrender.The name of the book is titled”No Surrender”.Excellent book.I read it back in the 1970’s.

  3. Another Great story from Mystic. I remember reading an article on the Japanese soldier that lived in the cave for 28 years.

  4. I believe that Onoda’s commanding officer was still living at the time and was instrumental in convincing the soldier that the war was over.

  5. I was in to stamps 2003. I received a coin and I was done with stamps. I have 4 grandchildren. I resently gave my grandchildren their coins, and got my stamps out. I just turned 70 years old. I don’t know what I need first. I will call tomarrow.

  6. My US Army basic training unit sergeant at Ft. Leonard Wood (a.k.a.–Ft. Lost in the Woods), MO during the Vietnam War was a native of Guan. FANTASTIC instructor!

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