[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE 77TH INFANTRY DIVISION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I had mentioned in an earlier speech that 
Guam, each year, sets aside the twenty-first of July as a day to 
commemorate the landing of the Third Marine Division on the shores of 
Asan and the First Marine Provisional Brigade, supported by the 77th 
Infantry of the U.S. Army, in Agat. Over the years, the U.S. Marines, 
due to the massive casualties they suffered in this campaign have taken 
the center stage in our commemorations and celebrations. Today, I would 
like to expound on the contributions of the United States Army--
particularly the 77th Infantry Division, towards liberating the people 
of Guam from their captors fifty-seven years ago.
  The 77th Division was first organized on August 25, 1917. A unit 
comprised of twenty thousand men, it was composed of men from all walks 
of life. Among these men were first generation immigrants who, upon 
finding freedom on American soil, accepted the noble duty of protecting 
it. The 77th was the first Army division to reach France in World War 
I--gaining fame in the Meuse Argonne Offensive.
  Deactivated in May 1919, the division was reactivated for World War 
II in the spring of 1942. Taking less than 40 days to assemble, the 
77th trained for more than a year before being tasked to play a major 
part in the Pacific theater of the war. The oldest U.S. Army infantry 
unit at the time, the 77th made their initial landing on Guam.
  Touching ground on the southern part of the island on July 21, 1944, 
the 77th, along with the Marines, pushed north through thickly mined 
roads, subjected to heavy artillery fire. Roughly, two weeks later, the 
end to the fighting was virtually at hand. By August 8, the last 
Japanese stronghold on the island, Mount Santa Rosa, was captured by 
the 77th Division. This marked the end of organized resistance on the 
island. By August 10, the official conclusion of the Guam campaign was 
declared.
  This, however, did not put an end to the fighting. Soldiers, sailors 
and Marines were to spend many more weeks clearing the jungles and 
mountains of Guam of resisting stragglers. The 77th would eventually 
spend May and June of 1945 on the front lines in Okinawa, often engaged 
in hand-to-hand combat. The final tally on Guam by August 10, 1944, 
came to 7,800 casualties, of whom 2,124 were killed in action or died 
of wounds. Of this total, the Army accounted for 839, the Navy for 245, 
and the Marines for 6,716.
  Every year since World War II, the liberation of Guam is commemorated 
as a time of solemn contemplation and remembrance. It was a highly 
noble struggle of Americans liberating a captive people who happened to 
be fellow Americans. This serves as a reminder of the spirit of freedom 
and democracy and the high cost paid to maintain it. The people of Guam 
are eternally grateful for the contributions of their fellow Americans 
in the liberation of Guam. As liberators fifty-seven years ago, they 
deemed that no sacrifice was too great. The people of Guam now consider 
that no act was too small to merit their undying appreciation and 
affection. Those who aided in the island's liberation after years of 
brutal captivity are equally held in the highest esteem. On behalf of a 
grateful people, I express my sincerest thanks. Si Yu'os Ma'ase'.

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