War in the Pacific National Historical Park
It is the only site in the National Park System that honors the bravery and sacrifices of all those who participated in the Pacific Theater of World War II. This includes the United States, Japan, and the Allied nations; Australia, Canada, China, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the Soviet Union.
Park visitors have the opportunity to learn about the events that led to the outbreak of war, the Battle of Guam, and the role of the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Theater.
Park Sites
War in the Pacific National Historical Park consists of various park units located throughout the island of Guam. To better understand the patchwork of World War II historical sites, stop by the following locations:
T. Stell Newman Visitor Center
The T. Stell Newman Visitor Center is located just outside Naval Base Guam’s main gate. T. Stell Newman was the first superintendent for the National Park Service at War in the Pacific National Historical Park.
The Battle Map includes three flat-panel monitors, a large topographic map, surround sound, and lasers to present the story of the Battle of Guam in vivid detail.
Interaction with exhibits make this Visitor Center unique. Explore scrapbooks and touchable objects, listen to authentic historic records, and watch media stations that present compelling stories in a series of short videos.
Exhibits are organized into modules, each with a different theme. Modules range from the broad, far-reaching topics of war throughout the Pacific, while others center on Guam’s role in the war.
The Visitor Center offers interactive, state of the art displays that speak to the rich history of the region and natural resources in Guam. The Pacific Historic Parks Bookstore features the most complete collection of local and World War II books in the Pacific. Children’s books, toys and unique gift items are also available. Visitors may watch the Guam and Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Theater via virtual reality technology. There are five (5) exciting VR adventures that include: “Guam World War II Experience,” “Skies Over Pearl Harbor: A December 7th Experience,” “Pearl Harbor Air Raid,” “Walk the Deck of USS Arizona," and “USS Arizona Underwater.” All equipment is provided, with VR staff available to assist you. All proceeds from bookstore sales support educational activities.
What To Expect: The bookstore and gift shop are in the lobby of the Visitor Center. Parking is free. There are paved walkways leading to the entrance of the Visitor Center. Restroom facilities are also available to park patrons. The T. Stell Newman Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Asan Bay Overlook
Constructed by the National Park Service, this overlook commands a view of Asan Beach and the arduous terrain US Marines had to scale to win the high ground during the Battle of Guam.
Asan Bay Overlook features a Memorial Wall etched with the names of the American servicemen who died defending Guam in 1941, those who died fighting the Japanese in 1944, and the people of Guam who suffered and died during the 31 months of brutal enemy occupation.
The bronze bas-relief sculptures found at Asan Bay Overlook memorialize the unique experiences of the Chamorro people during World War II.
Asan Bay Overlook sits atop the ridgeline today and provides an opportunity to experience a solemn, peaceful, and reverent space where one can remember the fallen and reflect on the battlefields below.
Visit the Memorial Wall that honors the people of Guam who lost their lives, suffered personal injury, forced labor, forced marches or internment, as well as the US servicemen who died against the attacking Japanese armed forces on Guam and during the Battle for Guam. Observe the commemorative bronze sculptures depicting events on Guam during the World War II Japanese occupation and battle in 1944. There is a panoramic view of the villages of Asan and Piti, and a special monument dedicated to the first Chamorro US Navy casualties of World War II.
What To Expect: Parking is free. There are paved walkways leading to the viewpoints and memorial wall. There are no restrooms. The area contains a concrete shaded area with seating for approximately 20 people. The Memorial Wall area contains a seating area with no shaded cover for approximately 30 people. Asan Bay Overlook is open 24 hours.
Asan Beach
Covering 109 land acres and 445 water acres, Asan Beach is the site of the northern American landings during the recapture of Guam in July 1944.
This marks where the US Marines landed on the beach on July 21, 1944 to recapture Guam from the Japanese.
Many visit Asan Beach to partake in the annual flag display during Memorial Day weekend at the park.
Today, Asan Beach is one of the most active recreational sites on Guam. Fishermen, picnickers, and divers mingle with those seeking historical insight at the beautiful white sandy beach.
Asan Beach contains many historic resources preserved from Guam’s rich past, such as Japanese pillboxes, caves, and tunnels. At the tip of the point is the Liberator's Memorial, a structure erected in 1994 to honor all US forces involved in the recapture of Guam. Along the beach there are two monuments honoring exiled Filipinos who were on Guam during the early 1900s. Two other nearby monuments – Monument for the 3rd Marine Division and the US Landing Monument – honor the men who came ashore here on July 21, 1944. There is a grassy trail behind the restrooms where visitors can find placards that identify six culturally significant plants. The trail winds through the limestone forest while offering a breathtaking view of the Asan Invasion Beach from the top. A Japanese gun emplacement reinforced with metal beams can also be found along the ridge trail.
What to Expect: Visitors are welcome to safely enjoy the park. Many visit to swim, picnic, fly kites, jog, and take short hikes to observe the numerous memorials at this beach that honor the US Armed Forces who fought and died here in 1944. Restroom facilities are available to park patrons. Asan Beach grounds are landscaped and manicured, with the grass cut regularly and coconut trees lining the beach shores. Picnic tables can be found along the shore. Parking is free. There are paved walkways leading to the monuments and Asan Point. One walkway begins near the shore at the eastern part of Asan parking lot and leads to various memorials and loops around the flat, grassy areas of the park. To the west is a circular concrete trail path that encircles the Liberators’ Memorial. Visitors are encouraged to plan special events at Asan Beach. Asan Beach is open 24 hours.
Ga’an Point
At dawn on July 21, 1944, 20 transport ships with nearly 31,000 men prepared for the attack on this southern landing beach in the village of Agat.
This particular gun was not at Ga’an during the American assault, but the island was studded with this type of anti-aircraft and coastal defense guns.
The fortifications at Ga’an Point were the last to fall during the battle at Agat and today serves as a reminder of Japanese military ingenuity. The defensive position was both well-conceived and well-concealed, as the engineers were masters at using the natural environment to their advantage.
This significant Japanese stronghold defended Agat Bay. Elaborate camouflage made it all the more deadly to advancing US Marines and Army troops who stormed the southern beachhead in July 1944.
World War II Japanese fortifications are still intact at Ga’an Point, such as two pillboxes and several small cave shelters. One pillbox is built into a limestone knoll and the second has an observation post on top of it. There are also two guns situated near the beach. One is a 25mm anti-aircraft gun and the other is a 200mm coastal defense gun. Native and endemic plants grow throughout the site. The United States, Japan, and Guam flags are on display to honor the nations involved in the Battle for Guam. They serve as a reminder of the American, Japanese, and Chamorro people who lost their lives on Guam during World War II.
What to Expect: Parking is free. There are paved walkways leading to Japanese guns and pillboxes. There are a few picnic tables with minimal shade. Restroom facilities are available to park patrons. Ga’an Point is open 24 hours.
Apaca Point
Although not directly assaulted by US troops, the area was heavily defended and still shows the scars of pre-invasion bombardment and the remnants of Japanese defensive positions, such as this reinforced concrete and limestone-cliff Japanese pillbox.
Known for its natural beauty, Apaca Point is a popular spot for capturing photographs of spectacular sunsets.
The beautiful, crystal clear water beckons experienced divers looking for remnants of American equipment sunk offshore, and those seeking the diversity and beauty of the area’s marine life.
The park contains a picnic area and a rare wetlands area just to the south.
Apaca Point features a sandy beach with scenic limestone formations located right offshore. Discover a World War II pillbox used by the Japanese to camouflage their defense locations located along the southeast corner near the water. A tunnel from the shore leads to the interior of the pillbox, where two gun slits would have allowed for automatic weapon and rifle support with a wide field of fire.
What To Expect: Parking is free. The area contains picnic tables on a concrete platform shaded by the trees. There is a paved walkway leading only to the picnic area. There are no restrooms. Apaca Point is open 24 hours.
Piti Guns
A trail leads you to three World War II Japanese coastal defense guns. Chamorros built Japanese defense structures like these throughout Guam.
While the three guns at Piti were never used, many like them were fired with deadly accuracy at Americans as they closed in on the strategic objective of Apra Harbor.
The trail to and the areas around the Piti Guns are home to a wide variety of vegetation, such as African tulip trees, betel nut palms, tangantangan, hibiscus, spider lilies, crotons, and various ferns.
This historic trail leads you through the dense mahogany forest planted in the 1920s.
Situated above the hills of the village of Piti are three Japanese coastal defense guns. They are the only guns in the park that are still in their original emplacements. The guns were installed through Chamorro forced labor. Piti Guns is also home to various plants, such as African tulip trees, betel nut palm trees, spider lilies, kamachile, and hibiscus. Mahogany trees that were planted in this area as a result of the Guam Agricultural Experiment Station (1909-1932) and agricultural school (1932-1940) remain and can be seen on the trail today.
What to Expect: The unpaved parking area is located left of the Piti Catholic Church social hall building. Parking is free. The trailhead is located at the base of the hill. The trail begins with a concrete stairway and then ascends steeply through thick coastal jungle. Use caution as the trail and stairs may be slippery. There are no paved walkways, restrooms, or picnic tables. Trash receptacles are found at the trailhead. The trail is narrow in some areas so it is recommended no more than 30 visitors should hike the trail at one time. Piti Guns is open 24 hours.
Fonte Plateau
This is the former command post of Commander Lieutenant General Takashina, leader of the Japanese forces on Guam.
View from inside the bunker. Commander Lieutenant General Takeshina had deployed an infantry regiment from here to defend against the northern American landings.
Pacific Historic Parks hosts a series of Junior Ranger Academy camps to provide youth with opportunities to connect with park resources and encourage stewardship of national parks. In this photo, students help to repaint the Fonte Plateau bunker exterior.
Secluded in the cliffside among dense vegetation, the U-shaped concrete bunker protected Commander Lieutenant General Takeshina and his staff.
The highland of Fonte was renamed Nimitz Hill. At the rear of the plateau is a concrete bunker with two concrete arch entrances. This structure was a major Japanese naval communications center during World War II. The Japanese communications center is now commonly called Fonte Plateau.
What to Expect: Unpaved parking area. There are no paved walkways, restrooms, picnic tables, or seating areas. The doors of Fonte Plateau normally remain locked. The exterior area of Fonte Plateau is open 24 hours.