AN ACT TO ADD A NEW 1 GCA §839 TO REDEDICATE “MARINE DRIVE” AND TO RESDESIGNATE IT “MARINE CORPS DRIVE”

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF GUAM:

Section 1. Short Title. Marine Corps Drive Rededication Act.
Section 2. Preface. 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 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 September1944 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]

An obelisk on Marine Drive in Hagatna 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

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!

Section 3. Designating Marine Drive as “Marine Corps Drive.” A new §839 is added to 1 GCA to read: §839. (a) 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. Three new signs shall be created and posted near the main gate of Naval Station, near Y Sengsong Chamorro in Hagatna and near the main gate of Andersen Air Force Base.
(b) Any provision of law referencing “Marine Drive” is amended to read: “Marine Corps Drive.”
(c) Names for portions of route 1, e.g. Chalan Padiron in Yigo, shall be recognized.

Section 4. Rededication ceremony on 60th Anniversary of Liberation Day, July 21, 2004.

The Governor shall hold a suitable ceremony to rededicate “Marine Corps Drive” on the 60th Anniversary of Liberation Day, July 21, 2004, to the memory of those Marines, living and dead who liberated Guam in 1944.

Section 5. Transitional provision and effective date. This act shall be effective on of July 21, 2004. So that those affected by the change of name are saved the expense of reprinting stationery, changing signage etc., both names may used until January 1, 2010 when Marine Corps Drive, only, shall be used.