| Liberation + 60 Years 21 July 1944 - 21 July 2004 Part II |
(Left) Retired Marine Corps veteran Bob Riebe, who
participated in the Battle of Guam, steps down from
the Grand Stand to take photos during the Liberation
Day. Mr. Riebe was a tank driver with B Company,
3rd Tank Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division during
the landings in World War II.
(Below) Marines, on their way home from duty in Iraq,
march in formation pass the reviewing stand. The
Marine band (below left) and the Devil Dog formations
led off the parade in the place of honor, as the
liberation was a Marine Corps show.
participated in the Battle of Guam, steps down from
the Grand Stand to take photos during the Liberation
Day. Mr. Riebe was a tank driver with B Company,
3rd Tank Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division during
the landings in World War II.
(Below) Marines, on their way home from duty in Iraq,
march in formation pass the reviewing stand. The
Marine band (below left) and the Devil Dog formations
led off the parade in the place of honor, as the
liberation was a Marine Corps show.
Click on the thumbnails at left and above for a
larger version of the images. The motorcycle
belongs to Mr. John Gerber, prior Marine and
local Guam historian and artifact conservator.
larger version of the images. The motorcycle
belongs to Mr. John Gerber, prior Marine and
local Guam historian and artifact conservator.
Among Mr. Gerber's vast collection are
many painstakingly restored and working
vehicles from the Liberation, such as the
truck (above) and half-track (right).
many painstakingly restored and working
vehicles from the Liberation, such as the
truck (above) and half-track (right).
After the Marines had passed, the Coast
Guard (above left), and Navy paraded
by. The Navy SeaBees showed off
some of their modern equipment (above).
They are remembered with great
affection for rebuilding so much of the
island after the battle. (Left) Sailors from
Naval Base Guam and its tenant
commands march in formation.
Although they played a smaller role than
the Marines and Navy, the Coast Guard
are also warmly remembered because
many of the landing craft that ran up to
the beach and disgorged troops were
piloted by Coast Guardsmen.
Guard (above left), and Navy paraded
by. The Navy SeaBees showed off
some of their modern equipment (above).
They are remembered with great
affection for rebuilding so much of the
island after the battle. (Left) Sailors from
Naval Base Guam and its tenant
commands march in formation.
Although they played a smaller role than
the Marines and Navy, the Coast Guard
are also warmly remembered because
many of the landing craft that ran up to
the beach and disgorged troops were
piloted by Coast Guardsmen.
Almost like a silent wind, these Navajo marched with great dignity to remember
their grandfathers who served in a very secret, but extremely vital role during the
Pacific War. The Navajo language was adapted to a code, and the "Code
Talkers" were assigned to various units. Using the Navajo language was so
successful in creating a secure system of communication that it drove the
Japanese code breakers nearly insane in their many (unsuccessful) attempts to
break it.
their grandfathers who served in a very secret, but extremely vital role during the
Pacific War. The Navajo language was adapted to a code, and the "Code
Talkers" were assigned to various units. Using the Navajo language was so
successful in creating a secure system of communication that it drove the
Japanese code breakers nearly insane in their many (unsuccessful) attempts to
break it.
(Left) Island dancers and village floats (above) celebrated
the liberated Chamorro culture. Each village had a
committee that built its own float. Above is Santa Rita's
entry (Santa Rita is the village district Naval Base Guam is
located in).
the liberated Chamorro culture. Each village had a
committee that built its own float. Above is Santa Rita's
entry (Santa Rita is the village district Naval Base Guam is
located in).
Of course the Navy and other services got in on the act. Above is the float
built by the Guam-based sub tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40). Below is the
float built by the Guam-based Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN. The mock-up
sub's torpedo tubes fired water from a "Super Soaker" into the crowd.
built by the Guam-based sub tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40). Below is the
float built by the Guam-based Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN. The mock-up
sub's torpedo tubes fired water from a "Super Soaker" into the crowd.
