War in the Pacific: Outbreak of the War
The Chamorro: Caught in the Middle
During the Japanese occupation of Guam, the Chamorros
were subject to two and one-half years of fear, humiliation, and
hardships imposed upon them by militaristic invaders. Their courage,
faith, patience, and spirit was to prevail, however. Chamorros had
adopted many Spanish and Western traits, including clothing styles.
Attending mass on December 8, a woman would have worn the "mestiza"
style of dress, covering her head with a veil. She would carry a
crucifix and Bible, symbolic of the Roman Catholic faith predominant
Caught in a war not of their making the Chamorros
were to endure a sometimes brutal military occupation which lasted from
December 10, 1941, until July 21, 1944. One of the first lessons to be
taught by the Japanese was the custom of bowing. It was not uncommon to
see signs placed throughout the island that read, "You Must Stop Here
and Bow to Us." Failure to bow, bowing too low, or too slight was punishable by slapping, kicking, or hitting. The Japanese also took control
of most privately-owned real estate, agricultural produce, and
livestock. During the occupation, Japanese controlled the rice
production in the rich Inarajan fields.
One month after the invasion, special schools were
opened by the Japanese. The pre-war principal of George Washington High
School, Mrs. Agueda I. Johnston, the teachers, as well as students, were
all required to attend the first classes in basic Japanese language and
indoctrination. English was quickly recognized as a forbidden language.
Later, these programs were expanded to other schools; children attended
day classes and adults in the evening. The Japanese school system never
had more than 600 students, compared to the pre-war 5,000-student
enrollment. The Dai Ichi Gakko (Number 1 School) was used to train
teachers, interpreters, and assistants for the newly established
For the first few months the island was controlled by
army troops called the minseisho, who were housed in schools and
in government buildings around the Plaza in Agana. The minseisho
issued cloth passes as a form of identification to the Chamorros and
were pinned on the chests of all civilians for about one year. Japanese
yen became the island's currency. Cars, radios, and cameras were
confiscated; food was rationed until supplies became exhausted.
The island was renamed "Omiyajima" (Great Shine
Two Chamorro women pass a Japanese
sentry at the Plaza de Espana in this wartime photograph.