Liberation of Guam
In March, while the 4th Marines were on Emirau the First Provisional Marine Brigade was activated on Guadalcanal. The 4th Marines and 22nd Marines had been united as the Brigade under the command of Brig. General Lemeul Shepherd former ADC of the 1st Marine Division. General Shepherd faced the enormous task of integrating two independent regiments and all supporting elements, into a unified command before their services were required.
All units of the Brigade began an intensive period of training and preparation for their next combat assignment. Aware of the victories in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands they knew they’d be a part of the accelerated amphibious assault sweeping across the pacific.
During the period of 25-27 May, the Brigade and all supporting units participated in a full dress rehearsal of an amphibious combat landing. In the ship to shore operations, marines practiced transferring from landing craft to tractors, at the edge of a simulated reef. These exercises were made as realistic as possible, by the use of live ammunition, and bombs in providing air support. These exercises were the culmination of our training, and when they were completed an alert for movement was soon received. The Brigade immediately began loading activities and embarking at Kukum.
Most of the former Raiders were surprised to learn that they were to be part of a well planned but bold stroke, at the Japanese main line of defense in the Marianas Islands. The 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions, with the army’s 27th Infantry Division in reserve, would assault Saipan on 15 June. The First Provisional Marine Brigade and the 3rd Marine Division, along with the 77th Infantry Division in reserve, would assault and liberate the island of Guam, three days later on 19 June.
The coordinated assault on Saipan took place as scheduled. Both Marine Divisions were meeting heavy resistance, but steady progress was being made. Casualties were very heavy, which was one factor in a change of plans for the invasion of Guam. The Japanese fleet had finally came out, and was approaching Saipan, which was the other factor. For ten days, the troop ships of the Guam task force stood off Saipan during daylight hours ready to go ashore if they were needed. The Admiral did not release the Brigade until 30 June. Eventually “W” day (D day for Guam) was advanced to 21 July.
For the Marines aboard all the transports, the boredom and monotony became almost unbearable. General Geiger in command of the Third Amphibious Corps has been quoted as saying that the prolonged voyage had no ill effects upon the troops. Most of the men on board didn’t necessarily see things that way. In early July our transports finally departed the lagoon at Eniwetok for Guam.
The postponing of W-Day gave the Japanese almost two months to prepare for the assault. The preparatory fires by Task Force 53, beginning on 16 June, in anticipation of our scheduled assault made it clear where we planned to land.
The operational plan for the 1st Brigade, called for the two regiments to go ashore abreast between Agat and Bangi Pt. The 22nd Marines to the north on yellow beaches 1 and 2; the 4thMarines on white beaches 1 and 2 to the south.
The beaches extended for a mile or more with Gaan Pt. In the middle. The 4th Marines would land with the First and Second Battalions in the assault, transported across the 300 yards of reef in LVT’s. The 3rd Battalion in reserve, would transfer at the reefs edge to LVT’s as they returned, and then proceed to the beach. The 22nd Marines would move inland bearing left to seal off Orote Peninsula while, the 4th Marines would extend the beachhead and guard the Brigades right flank.
H- Hour was confirmed to be at 0830 21 July.
The Fourth Marines landed on time and on target. They proceeded to push inland against strong Japanese resistance and by nightfall had secured their positions on and around Hill 40. The line was stretched thin but the commanders did what they could to strengthen the line.
That night they were hit with a massive Japanese counterattack. It lasted all night and pushed the Marines to their limit. But the 4th held all along the line. In the area of hill 40 some Japanese did break through and they had to be destroyed in the morning to reestablish contact with the 3rd battalion on Hill 40. This has led to the belief, written in many books, that the Marines lost Hill 40 and had to retake it the next morning.
According to many former Raiders who fought there that was not the case. They held all night long and were not even aware there was enemy behind them until much later.
The next morning the major objective of the 4th Marines, was the capture of Mt. Alifan and the ridge extending toward Mt.Taene. When these objectives on the high ground were attained, the 3rd battalion would attack to the south to secure Magpo Pt.
The operational plans of General Geiger, for 25 July, called for the Brigade to initiate its assault on Orote Peninsula. Conditions existing at the close of 24 July, prompted General Shepherd to request a one day delay. The request was quickly granted, and the Brigade prepared to use the 25th to seal access to the Peninsula from all avenues of approach.
As the Brigade moved into the Orote it was very apparent, that the Brigade had encountered the in depth defensive line. To prepare for the attack of the 26th, the 4th Marines began taking over the left of the Brigade’s line, in the early afternoon. The 1ST Battalion as ordered, mopped up sporadic enemy resistance, as they moved up to relieve 1/22. By early morning, all marine units were in good positions on their objectives, and ready to renew the assault in the morning.
The 4th Marines pushed on and smartly took the entire peninsula, including the old Marine Barracks that were there. They had performed well but weren’t done fighting yet. They were sent north and fought through those battles until the island was secured.
The liberation of Guam took 21 days of hard fighting. The Marines alone suffered 1,190 KIA, 377 DOW, 5308 WIA.