|
Photos of executive
order signing ceremony.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
HAGÅTÑA, GUAM 96910
U.S.A.
Executive Order No 2004-___
RELATIVE TO REDEDICATING “MARINE DRIVE”
AND TO RESDESIGNATE IT “MARINE CORPS DRIVE”.
WHEREAS, in March 1944 Admiral Chester Nimitz,
Commander-in-Chief Pacific and Commander-in-Chief Pacific Ocean
Areas, created a special headquarters called Forward Area Pacific
Command headed by Vice Admiral John H. Hoover who was given responsibility
for the Pacific islands after they were conquered by U.S. forces.
After the start of the Guam invasion on 21 July 1944, Hoover's responsibility
focused on the Marianas, and his title then became Commander, Marianas
Area. Hoover's authority on Guam was delegated to Major General
Henry L. Larsen, USMC, who was named island commander by Nimitz
on 15 August 1944. Hoover and Larsen placed top priority on the
construction of a permanent, multi-lane express highway from Apra
Harbor to the sites for airfields and naval facilities. Construction
began in September 1944 under the Fifth Naval Construction Brigade
commanded by Captain William O. Hiltabiddle, Jr., who commanded
nine Seabee battalions, three stevedore battalions, the Third Marine
Division's engineer battalion, and four army aviation engineer battalions.
The road was put into use even before it was completely paved, used
for hauling ordinance and supplies from Apra Harbor to the air bases
in the North. The road was named "Marine Drive" in honor
of the Marines who took the island from the Japanese. [From Destiny’s
Landfall by Dr. Robert Rogers]
WHEREAS, an obelisk on Marine Drive in Hagåtña
bears a plaque stating:
MARINE DRIVE
DEDICATED TO THE LIVING AND DEAD OF THE FIRST PROVISIONAL MARINE
BRIGADE AND THE THIRD MARINE DIVISIONS WHO LANDED ON THIS ISLAND
JULY 21, 1944 AND SPEARHEADED AN ATTACK TO LIBERATE GUAM, FIRST
JAP-CONQUERED AMERICAN TERRITORY OF WORLD WAR II
MAJ GEN. HENRY L. LARSON U.S.M.C. ISLAND
COMMANDER
______WHEREAS,
Marine Drive was dedicated to the United States Marines who liberated
Guam from the Japanese in 1944. The meaning behind designating this
road “Marine Drive” has been lost through the generations.
Many visitors and residents think that the highway was named “Marine
Drive” because of its proximity to the ocean.
____NOW THEREFORE,
I, FELIX P. CAMACHO, Governor of Guam, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Organic Act of Guam, as amended, and
laws of Guam, do hereby order:
(a) That the Organic Act allows the Governor to issue executive
orders and regulations not in conflict with any applicable laws
and whereas there is no law naming (Route 1) Marine Drive which
was simply designated as such by General Larson in 1945;
(b) Marine Drive, (Route 1) is hereby redesignated “Marine
Corps Drive.” The Department of Public Works shall post
signs showing the new designation along Route 1 replacing signs
as necessary, provided that all signs shall be replaced prior
to January 2010.
|
