| Hagatna (Agana) Part III |
| The old Agana Cemetery, located on the Agana Bay side of Marine Corps Drive just north of the intersection of Marine Corps Drive and Route 8. This cemetery contains a heritage that crosses through the 1898 Spanish American War to the Vietnam War. Here the dead from WWI German raider SMS Cormoran, were buried after they died while scuttling their ship. (See the section on Mt. Tenjo for more information). |
Some of the Cormoran dead still rest
in the Agana Cemetery. Their graves
are marked by simple stones (left), with
a concrete monolith anchoring their
row (right). Although these are tied to
America's 1916 entry into World War I,
they are a small, generally unknown
part of the first shots America fired in
1916--here in the Pacific at Guam, and
not in the trenches of Europe. Dec.
2004.
in the Agana Cemetery. Their graves
are marked by simple stones (left), with
a concrete monolith anchoring their
row (right). Although these are tied to
America's 1916 entry into World War I,
they are a small, generally unknown
part of the first shots America fired in
1916--here in the Pacific at Guam, and
not in the trenches of Europe. Dec.
2004.
As with all cemeteries that contain military dead, the
Agana Cemetery has its share of Unknown markers
(above). Likely a casualty of WWII, no one but God
will ever know. Many of the markers are identified
by name, but have no dates (left). Dec. '04.
Agana Cemetery has its share of Unknown markers
(above). Likely a casualty of WWII, no one but God
will ever know. Many of the markers are identified
by name, but have no dates (left). Dec. '04.
The range of history here runs
from a Spanish-American War Vet
(immediately left), to a man who
served in the Navy through both
world wars (far left), to veterans
who saw service and gave their
lives in Korea and Vietnam (below).
from a Spanish-American War Vet
(immediately left), to a man who
served in the Navy through both
world wars (far left), to veterans
who saw service and gave their
lives in Korea and Vietnam (below).
Yes, Guam lost sons even on the Day of Infamy. Some of
these Pearl Harbor casualties lie here, largely unremarked except
by local veterans groups. If you visit the Agana Cemetery
(below), take the time to seek out these markers and pay
respects to these men who gave all for us. Below photo taken
south across the cemetery to Padre Palomo Park. Dec. 2004.
these Pearl Harbor casualties lie here, largely unremarked except
by local veterans groups. If you visit the Agana Cemetery
(below), take the time to seek out these markers and pay
respects to these men who gave all for us. Below photo taken
south across the cemetery to Padre Palomo Park. Dec. 2004.
| Adelup Point |
Adelup is a Chamorro word that roughly translates into English as "look before you leap". Adelup's modern
history began as a leper colony in the early 1800's. From there it was used for a Protestant mission and then a
residential area for Naval Officers. The Atkins Kroll company moved onto the property in 1910, and built a
mansion on the point. When the Japanese occupied the island in 1941, the commander of civilian affairs
occupied the Atkins Kroll house. As the American invasion grew near, the Japanese used forced labor to
fortify Adelup.
Adelup point is the southern-most part of Hagatna. During the American invasion of 1944, Adelup was the
northern-most point of the Asan Beach landings. After the liberation of Guam, the 5th Mobile Naval
Construction Battalion under Commodore Hiltabidle was headquartered here.
After the war, Atkins Kroll set up their corporate headquarters elsewhere. The Adelup Elementery School
was built in 1960; it later become the Guam Musuem (the present structure at the highest point on the rocks)
and the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex, housing the administrative branch of Guam's government.
The grounds are a lovely park area with some remarkable statuary.
history began as a leper colony in the early 1800's. From there it was used for a Protestant mission and then a
residential area for Naval Officers. The Atkins Kroll company moved onto the property in 1910, and built a
mansion on the point. When the Japanese occupied the island in 1941, the commander of civilian affairs
occupied the Atkins Kroll house. As the American invasion grew near, the Japanese used forced labor to
fortify Adelup.
Adelup point is the southern-most part of Hagatna. During the American invasion of 1944, Adelup was the
northern-most point of the Asan Beach landings. After the liberation of Guam, the 5th Mobile Naval
Construction Battalion under Commodore Hiltabidle was headquartered here.
After the war, Atkins Kroll set up their corporate headquarters elsewhere. The Adelup Elementery School
was built in 1960; it later become the Guam Musuem (the present structure at the highest point on the rocks)
and the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex, housing the administrative branch of Guam's government.
The grounds are a lovely park area with some remarkable statuary.
The over-sized statue of former Governor Bordallo (left) stands
at the entrance to the complex. (Above), the heroic-sized bronze
statue commemorating the 1944 liberation stands on the south
end of the grounds. Two Chamorro scouts are pointing the way
inland to the recently landed U.S. Marines. Nov. 2004.
at the entrance to the complex. (Above), the heroic-sized bronze
statue commemorating the 1944 liberation stands on the south
end of the grounds. Two Chamorro scouts are pointing the way
inland to the recently landed U.S. Marines. Nov. 2004.
Opposite the Liberation statue stands
this moving piece remembering the
tragedy of the Manengon March. As the
1944 American invasion neared, the
Japanese herded the Chamorros into
concentration camps in the island's
central areas to keep them from aiding
the American forces. One of the larger
camps was at Manengon (where stands
the modern Leo Palace Resort today).
With only their hands to carry what they
could, the Chamorros were
force-marched with no water in the
fiercely humid Guam summer. Nov. '04.
this moving piece remembering the
tragedy of the Manengon March. As the
1944 American invasion neared, the
Japanese herded the Chamorros into
concentration camps in the island's
central areas to keep them from aiding
the American forces. One of the larger
camps was at Manengon (where stands
the modern Leo Palace Resort today).
With only their hands to carry what they
could, the Chamorros were
force-marched with no water in the
fiercely humid Guam summer. Nov. '04.
Look carefully at the statue and you will find
hundreds of stories represented.
hundreds of stories represented.
Japanese pillboxes still lookout
to the north of Adelup (above).
The old Guam Museum is on
the top of the point, with a
Japanese cave visible under-
neath next to the elevator shaft
entrance. This musuem has
been abandoned since the 2002
to the north of Adelup (above).
The old Guam Museum is on
the top of the point, with a
Japanese cave visible under-
neath next to the elevator shaft
entrance. This musuem has
been abandoned since the 2002
landfall of Super Typhoon Pongsonga. The entire complex sustained severe damage. While the
Governor's offices have been repaired and reopened, the old musuem, shown here, is still closed and
shuttered up. All photos taken on Veterans Day and New Year's Eve of 2004.
Governor's offices have been repaired and reopened, the old musuem, shown here, is still closed and
shuttered up. All photos taken on Veterans Day and New Year's Eve of 2004.
