| First Chamorro Marine Corps Officer - and - Navajo Code Talkers |
When you are on an island like Guam, if you keep your eyes open (and have a little bit of luck),
then you will find yourself in the presence of living history...sometimes in the confluence of several
persons who were significant to American history. When I had to spend about a half-hour covering
the Marine Corps Birthday Ball on 27 October, 2005, I ended up in the center of just such an
experience.
The ball, held at the Marriott Hotel on Guam, hosted two different special guests—the first
Chamorro to be commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps, and a group of Navajo “Code
Talkers” who served during World War II.
Above: Former Cpt. Peter C. Siguenza, who, at 85, was the oldest Marine present, received his
commission during World War II, becoming the first Chamorro Marine officer. Cpt. Siguenza took to
the podium in order to pay honor to the group of Navajo Code Talkers (at right) who were visiting
the island. One of the Code Talkers present, former Cpl. Samuel Sandoval, was the only Code
Talker to land on Guam during the initial liberation landings on July 21, 1944. After making his
remarks, Cpt. Siguenza then presented a Guam territorial flag to each Code Talker. U.S. Navy photo
by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Nathanael T. Miller.
then you will find yourself in the presence of living history...sometimes in the confluence of several
persons who were significant to American history. When I had to spend about a half-hour covering
the Marine Corps Birthday Ball on 27 October, 2005, I ended up in the center of just such an
experience.
The ball, held at the Marriott Hotel on Guam, hosted two different special guests—the first
Chamorro to be commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps, and a group of Navajo “Code
Talkers” who served during World War II.
Above: Former Cpt. Peter C. Siguenza, who, at 85, was the oldest Marine present, received his
commission during World War II, becoming the first Chamorro Marine officer. Cpt. Siguenza took to
the podium in order to pay honor to the group of Navajo Code Talkers (at right) who were visiting
the island. One of the Code Talkers present, former Cpl. Samuel Sandoval, was the only Code
Talker to land on Guam during the initial liberation landings on July 21, 1944. After making his
remarks, Cpt. Siguenza then presented a Guam territorial flag to each Code Talker. U.S. Navy photo
by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Nathanael T. Miller.
Former Marine Corps Cpl. Samuel Sandoval (far left) was recognized for his
participation in the American liberation of Guam on 21 July 1944. During World
War II, Sandoval was one of the Navajo “Code Talkers” used by the Marines to
provide a secure means of communication that the Japanese forces were never able
to break.
Former Cpl. Sandoval, who was attached to the 3rd Marine Division’s 1st
Amphibious Corps, was the only Code Talker to take part in the invasion. He
landed at Agat Beach, the southern prong of the American invasion that retook
Guam from Japanese forces.
The presentation was made by Mr. Lee Webber (at podium) and Mr. Carl
Peterson, both of the Guam Chamber of Commerce. Sandoval was accompanied
to the stage by Mr. Albert Smith, himself a former Code Talker and currently
president of the Navajo Code Talker Society. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s
Mate 2nd Class Nathanael T. Miller.
participation in the American liberation of Guam on 21 July 1944. During World
War II, Sandoval was one of the Navajo “Code Talkers” used by the Marines to
provide a secure means of communication that the Japanese forces were never able
to break.
Former Cpl. Sandoval, who was attached to the 3rd Marine Division’s 1st
Amphibious Corps, was the only Code Talker to take part in the invasion. He
landed at Agat Beach, the southern prong of the American invasion that retook
Guam from Japanese forces.
The presentation was made by Mr. Lee Webber (at podium) and Mr. Carl
Peterson, both of the Guam Chamber of Commerce. Sandoval was accompanied
to the stage by Mr. Albert Smith, himself a former Code Talker and currently
president of the Navajo Code Talker Society. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s
Mate 2nd Class Nathanael T. Miller.
