War & Paradise: The Territories Of The U.S.

Guam

Guam has been a U.S. territory since 1898. This small strategic island in the Eastern Pacific has seen more than its fair share of war. Control of the island has switched sides often in history. Guam has experienced a change in control in the wake of natural disaster, disease epidemics, and war. America liberated the island from Japanese occupation during World War II. This later proved invaluable to marines and airmen as a primary base of operations. To this day, 15% of the more than 160,000 living on the island are affiliated with the United States military, oftentimes raising questions on the treatment of locals by servicemen stationed there.