Guam Combat Patrol

Although the fighting between the US and Japanese over Guam was declared over by August 1944, this did not mean the war was truly over in Guam. For years after the Japanese occupation was over, thousands of Japanese troops became stragglers, refusing to surrender and instead fleeing and hiding in Guam’s jungles, caves and cliff sides. Some of these stragglers still represented threats attacking CHamorus and stealing from their homes and farms.

From 1944-1948, it was the job of the Guam Combat Patrol, a group of around 30 CHamoru men recruited from the Guam Police, to hunt down and capture these stragglers. They proved to be very effective in their work, killing more than 100 stragglers.

The Guam Combat Patrol was under the command of Juan Unpingco Aguon, who received several commendations including the Silver Star for his leadership. The patrol was divided into two platoons, which were in turn led by Felix Wusstig and George Flores. All members of the Guam Combat Patrol were awarded the Bronze Star, and several received Purple Hearts for being wounded. Two of their members, Antonio P. Manibusan and Pedro R. San Nicolas, were killed fighting the stragglers.

The Combat Patrol was disbanded in November 1948. A statue erected in their honor can be found in the front field of Adelup.

Members of the Guam Combat Patrol featured in the group image are: Ramon N. Ignacio, Francisco J. Cruz, George G. Flores, Pedro A. Perez, Pedro R. San Nicolas, Felix C. Wusstig, Fred Taitano, Jose S. Bukikosa, Ignacio R. Rivera, Jose P. Sales, Juan U. Aguon, Antonio Manibusan, Agapito S. Perez, Vicente L. Borja