Francisco Jesus Cruz and the

Guam Combat Patrol:

Francisco Jesus Cruz:

Our inspiration for this organization came from the incredible sacrifices made by our ancestors. Men like Francisco Jesus Cruz (Founder Great-Grandfather), whose actions during World War 2 before joining the Guam Combat Patrol (GCP) probably saved thousands of Chamoru and U.S. lives during the recapture of Guam (the most populated U.S. territory occupied by the Japanese). He blew up the Japanese underground cave headquarters and 10 machine gun bunkers by himself, eliminating an estimated 800 Japanese fighters. This was after the third failed attempt from the U.S. Marines to retake Asan Beach. He was promised the Medal of Honor by the infamous U.S. Navy Admiral Chester Nimitz (80 years later and still trying to get him his Medal of Honor). He went on and earned a bronze star (signed by U.S. Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal) for his actions during his time serving in the GCP. After the war, he continued to serve Guam as a police officer and retired as a Sergeant. His family is still trying to get his Medal of Honor awarded.

Guam Combat Patrol:

The Guam Combat Patrol was a native Chamoru fighting group that proved to be vital members of the U.S. forces during the Battle of Guam. GCP fighters went through a field boot camp in the jungles of Asan and after their service were honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. They knew the island like the back of their hands and served by scouting the enemy, guiding the U.S. troops, and fighting alongside. They were crucial to the success of the liberation of Guam. The GCP fighters continued to clear Guam of the Japanese fighters even after the war.

The original 16 GCP members were: Francisco Jesus Cruz, Juan U. Agoun, Ignacio R. Rivera, Alfred F. Taitano, Agapito S. Perez, Pedro R. San Nicolas, Jose S. Bukikosa, Goerge G. Flores, Joaquin S. Agoun, Pedro A. Perez, Vicente L. Borja, Felix C. Wusstig, Antonio P. Manibusan, Ramon N. Ignacio, Jose P. Salas, and Jose S. Tenorio.

FOREVER REMEMBER THESE HEROES AND ALL LOST DURING THE OCCUPATION AND LIBERATION OF OUR ISLANDS.

We honor them by giving back to our islands.

NATIVE CHAMORU HISTORY:

Our Chamoru history on the Mariana Islands began nearly 5,000 years ago. The journey came with a plethora of obstacles and hardships. This includes:

• The oldest Pacific Ocean long distance navigation journey inhabiting remote Oceania using moon and stars, surviving off the land, withstanding natural disasters.
• Spanish colonization/war and Catholic Inquisition (Spain discovered us in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan and colonization ended 1898 when US took ownership after winning Spanish-American War) (Spanish claim starting 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi)(native Chamoru population across the Marianas estimated to go from nearly 100k to 5k, 95% killed by end)
• Becoming an American Territory
• U.S. Navy Command Governor (1898 to 1950)
• Japanese occupation during WW2 (1914-1944 across all Mariana Islands) (Guam one of the only captured inhabited American territories from 1941-1944) (almost 12,000 native Chamorus killed), Liberation of the Mariana islands.
• Guam Chamorus becoming American citizens (Organic Act, 1950)
• Gov. Manuel F. Leon Guerrero being the first Chamoru civilian elected Governor in 1963-1969)
• Northern Mariana islands Chamorus becoming a U.S. Commonwealth in 1978 (Gov. Carlos S. Comacho is first civilian elected Chamoru for the office from 1978-1982) (U.S. citizenship granted in 1986),
• Navigating through a more unpredictable world as a unincorporated American territory.