The Pacific War Museum

Since its opening in 2001, Guam's Pacific War Museum has been growing its collection of artifacts to preserve and share the history of the island during World War II. While Guam was a U.S. territory at the start of the war, the island was controlled by the Japanese following the first Battle of Guam in 1941 until American forces retook the island in the Second Battle of Guam in 1944. The museum was established by John Gerber, a veteran of the Vietnam war, and its highlights include artifacts related to the experiences and contributions of members of the United States Marine Corps. The museum also offers a variety of American and Japanese artifacts from World War II.

The Pacific War Museum grew from a personal collection and was established on May 4, 2001 by Vietnam veteran John Gerber. In the earlier days of the museum's history, Gerber and a few other veterans held events to preserve the history of the war and support visiting US Marines. Gerber died in 2010, two years after moving the museum to its current location on Nimitz Hill. One of Gerber's last exploits, according to his son Ryan Gerber, was excavating a crashed Japanese Zero plane that had crashed in the jungle.

During World War II the capture of the island of Guam was pivotal for the United States against Imperial Japan. From Guam, the United States could mount better offenses against Japan, and maintained a stronger foothold in the Pacific. At the time of the war, Nimitz Hill was known of Fonte Plateau. Fonte Plateau was later renamed to Nimitz Hill after the war. It was on Nimitz Hill that the US Marines withstood multiple banzai charges after the marines took the beachhead North on Asan beach. These banzai charges were suicidal attacks made by the Imperial Japanese forces who would rather die in battle than risk capture or surrender.

The US marines that participated in the Battle of Guam would move on, and a number of them would fight on in the Battle of Iwo Jima. The Battle of Guam would rage on from the 21st of July in 1944 to August 10th of the same year. US Marines faced off against Imperial Japanese Army forces for several weeks. On the 10th of August, Guam was declared secure, and the US Marines started to organize to lock down the island and prepare for the next engagement.

The Pacific War Museum consists of artifacts, many of which were acquired by museum founder John Gerber. The museum includes displays of military vehicles and artillery pieces as well as uniforms and military equipment. The museum also includes a section that displays items from Japanese forces that occupied Guam for nearly three years during the war.

Brent, Patrick. One determined Marine: John Gerber and the Pacific War Museum. Leatherneck Magazine. August 1st 2010. 28.

Webber, Lee P. “The Late John Gerber's Efforts to Honor Fallen Marines.” The Guam Daily Post, The Guam Daily Post, 15 Apr. 2019,

https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/the-late-john-gerber-s-efforts-to-honor-fallen-marines/article_a50418f8-5e47-11e9-902d-0ba7e655dc81.html. 

Ryan, Gerber. THE CRAZY, WONDERFULLY AMAZING SHIT MY DAD DID AND A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT HIM.. Uno. October 1st 2011.