*** Released by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Public Affairs Office***


Fena Cave Massacre Site Cleaned
By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathanael T. Miller
Naval Media Support Center Marianas
For the Pacific Navigator

Santa Rita, Guam (6 Oct 2005) – Navy personnel volunteered time this week to clean up the site of a
war crime that occurred over sixty years ago. Clambering through spider webs and crawling through
muddy shafts, military personnel cleaned up debris and otherwise performed site maintenance at Fena
Cave on board the Naval Magazine. The volunteer effort was put forth to maintain the site of a
massacre that was committed shortly before Guam was liberated from Japanese control.

As fears of an American invasion grew during 1944, the Japanese forces occupying Guam became
increasingly fearful of an uprising among the local Chamorro population. According to the National Park
Service website (www.nps.gov), the Japanese knew the Guam Chamorros were loyal to the United
States. In July of 1944, Japanese forces committed several massacres on Guam, including the one at
Fena Cave. 32 Chamorro men and women died after being herded into the cave and then having
grenades thrown in and machine-gun fire swept over them.

Fena Cave is located deep inside the Naval Magazine, and therefore inaccessible to the general public.
However, efforts are made by naval personnel to keep the Fena site in a respectable, and respectful,
condition. “It is extremely important that our Sailors take part in the community. It creates a very
special connection that could very well be with them the rest of their lives,” said Lt. Jim Robb,
Tomahawk Quick Response Team (QRT) Officer.

Primarily organized by Chief Petty Officer Richard E. Terrell II of the QRT, this particular site
maintenance effort has been a chance “for our Navy Sailors to show their respect for the Chamorro
neighbors who have given so much.” Terrell explained that the nearby ordnance stored on board the
magazine prohibits the general public from visiting the site.  Nevertheless, he believes it is important for
the Navy to maintain the site. “They [the Chamorro people] gave their lives for this land and our
country. We owe them a great deal of gratitude and respect.”

Working side by side in the damp, muddy cave with the Sailors, Lt. Robb pointed out that QRT was
not the only division cleaning the site. “We put together volunteers from the Quick Response Team,
Tomahawk Training Team, Dive Locker, and Photographers,” Robb said. Petty Officer Josh D.
Parkey, a QRT member, enjoyed the chance to help out.  “It was fun doing a group clean up. I was
glad I could help.”

After the day’s work was done and the portable lights were being packed away, Terrell said this was
not intended as a one-time affair. “I’m personally proud to have been a part of this clean up effort, and
look forward to maintaining it while I’m on board.  This is just a small token of the respect and
admiration.”