| Santa Rita |
| U.S. Naval Magazine, Guam - Continued - |
| THE FENA MASSACRE |
The greatest of the civilian massacres committed by
Japanese forces occurred in this remote cave in the Fena River
Valley. Here, on July 19, 1944, over thirty Chamorros from
Agat and Sumay were hrdered...and murdered. Like the
victims killed at Tinta, Faha, and up in Yigo, these people's
only crime had been to be considered a liability in the face of
the inevitable American invasion. The victims of this atrocity
were buried in the old cemetery in Agat (previous page).
This cave is deep within the Naval Magazine, and is not
accessible to the public. What enabled me to visit this site in
October of 2005 was the occasion of a "site cleanup" by Navy
Japanese forces occurred in this remote cave in the Fena River
Valley. Here, on July 19, 1944, over thirty Chamorros from
Agat and Sumay were hrdered...and murdered. Like the
victims killed at Tinta, Faha, and up in Yigo, these people's
only crime had been to be considered a liability in the face of
the inevitable American invasion. The victims of this atrocity
were buried in the old cemetery in Agat (previous page).
This cave is deep within the Naval Magazine, and is not
accessible to the public. What enabled me to visit this site in
October of 2005 was the occasion of a "site cleanup" by Navy
Sailors. Periodically, the
Navy will get volunteers
to remove storm debris,
keep the brush under a
little bit of control, and
generally keep the site in
a decent condition.
Every year the
massacre is remembered
from a ridge that looks
over the Naval Magazine
towards the site. Even
though they cannot visit
the cave itself, the Navy
hopes that knowing the
site is kept clean will be
a source of comfort.
Navy will get volunteers
to remove storm debris,
keep the brush under a
little bit of control, and
generally keep the site in
a decent condition.
Every year the
massacre is remembered
from a ridge that looks
over the Naval Magazine
towards the site. Even
though they cannot visit
the cave itself, the Navy
hopes that knowing the
site is kept clean will be
a source of comfort.
Above: The cave entrance. Left: The first
chamber, where the murders took place. There
is a crawl-way to a much more massive chamber.
chamber, where the murders took place. There
is a crawl-way to a much more massive chamber.
U.S. Sailors, attached to various commands
around Guam, enter the cave and set up lighting
before beginning the removal of storm debris and
bush clearing. Below: Inside the giant main
chamber, well past the tiny crawlspace through
which you go to get here from the chamber the
killings happened in.
around Guam, enter the cave and set up lighting
before beginning the removal of storm debris and
bush clearing. Below: Inside the giant main
chamber, well past the tiny crawlspace through
which you go to get here from the chamber the
killings happened in.
Above: The Fena cleanup group from October 6, 2005. I'm in
the standing at right in the far back (wearing the grey shirt). Some
of these Sailors are attached to the Naval Base Guam Dive
Locker; others are attached to the Tomahawk Quick Response
Team, and others to the Public Affairs Office. It truly was a
multi-command effort.
All photos are official U.S. Navy photos taken by myself.
the standing at right in the far back (wearing the grey shirt). Some
of these Sailors are attached to the Naval Base Guam Dive
Locker; others are attached to the Tomahawk Quick Response
Team, and others to the Public Affairs Office. It truly was a
multi-command effort.
All photos are official U.S. Navy photos taken by myself.
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.”
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.”
