WAR IN THE PACIFIC National Historical Park

U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service

Asan Beach Guide

WALK #1— MONUMENTS

To the right of the parking lot (as you face the sea) is a paved trail lined with coconut palms that leads to four monuments. You come first to two monuments honoring Apolinario Mabini, a Philippine patriot who was exiled to Guam in 1901 with 51 other Philippine heroes for their refusal to cooperate with the United States, and for their criticism of the U.S. military government of the Philippines. He and the others lived on this site until 1903, when all but one took an oath of allegiance to the United States of America.

As you continue on the path, you are walking along the beach where the U.S. Marines landed on July 21, 1944, to recapture Guam from the Japanese. A monument to the event has been erected on the site by the Third Marine Division Association.

The U.S. Landing Monument, the fourth along the path, is dedicated "to the gallant men of all the services who fought and fell in the assault, seizure and occupation of Guam." The capture of the Mariana Islands opened Japan to attack and hastened the end of the war in the Pacific.

On the far side of the parking lot, at the base of the cliff at Asan Point, is the Liberator's Memorial, placed in 1994 to honor all U.S. forces involved in the recapture of Guam. It was erected by the National Association of Uniformed Services on the 50th anniversary of the 1944 campaign.

Last Updated: 01-Apr-2004