Guam Historical Tour during Forager 21

Photo By Spc. Richard Carlisi | Lt. Col. Erik Flint, the unit historian for America’s First Corps, discusses the history of Guam and its role in World War II, during a historical tour as part of Forager 21 at Hagåtña, Guam, July 31, 2021. Flint’s tour sparked discussions amongst all participants, including Capt. Marty Springer, a civil affairs officer with the 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion. “As a civil affairs officer, my job is to promote stability across the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,” said Springer. “Understanding the history of a region is important when establishing relationships in that area, and it is also really interesting.” (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Richard Carlisi, I Corps)  

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM

03.08.2021

Story by Spc. Richard Carlisi 

U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Soldiers participating in exercise Forager 21 retraced the footsteps of Soldiers and Marines who liberated Guam 77 years ago during Operation Forager. Lt. Col. Erik Flint, the unit historian for America’s First Corps, took the opportunity to showcase the island’s World War II history while Soldiers are here for the exercise.

“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme,” said Flint. “There are a variety of themes that recur throughout history, and continuing to study and understand those themes offers a level of predictability for future events.”

The War in the Pacific National Historical Park, also called Asan Beach, was a landing site employed for Guam’s liberation as part of Operation Forager. It is now a palm tree-lined coast attracting beachgoers and history enthusiasts wanting to retrace the Second Battle of Guam.

Flint discussed the layout of Asan Beach and its significance to the battle.

“Asan Beach was one of two suitable landing beaches for the invasion,” said Flint. “The cliffs behind the beach were manned by the Japanese. Having the high ground, they fired on us while we also had trouble getting our amtracs (landing vehicle tracked) over the reefs. Take note of how narrow the beach is. Imagine landing an entire division here under all those conditions.”

Flint’s tour sparked discussion. Capt. Marty Springer, a civil affairs officer with the 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion, went along to further his knowledge about Guam as it relates to his job.

“As a civil affairs officer, my job is to promote stability across the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,” said Springer. “Understanding the history of a region is important when establishing relationships in that area, and it is also really interesting.”

Following the path of America’s northern advance along Guam Highway 1, the tour ended at South Pacific Memorial Peace Park, the location where General Hideyoshi Obata, the Japanese commander of all the Marianas, established his final command post.

North of the memorial are a flight of concrete steps leading down into a large depression containing the entrances to four caves where Obata’s last stand and subsequent suicide transpired.

“When the U.S. invaded Saipan in June 1944, Obata became stuck on Guam,” said Flint. “Note the dense jungle surrounding the caves. To see where he and his staff held their final stand, drives home just how tough this fight really was.”

The discussions continued long after leaving the memorial.

“Studying military history can inform your judgement,” said Flint. “You have more experience to draw from in real operations. Walking the terrain, seeing the battlefields, reading books, and engaging in discussions can help you see where things went right and wrong.”

• Date Taken: 03.08.2021
• Date Posted: 08.12.2021 14:58
• Story ID: 402279
• Location: ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GU