Thanks in part to Vancouver Barracks soldiers, a tiny island on the far side of the Pacific just had another chance to step into America’s political spotlight.
Two chances, actually: the Republican and Democratic conventions. Convention-watchers might not have realized that 56 delegations were part of the nominating processes in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
The six non-state actors (so to speak) are the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
Guam became an American territory in 1898 when troops were sent from Vancouver Barracks to the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. It was the first time U.S. troops were deployed overseas.
The force was led by Gen. Thomas Anderson, who commanded Vancouver Barracks for 12 years. On their way to Manila, the three troop ships and their Navy cruiser escort made a quick side trip to capture Guam.
During a history panel discussion at Vancouver Community Library, author Pat Jollota recounted the dramatic play-by-play. It was dramatic for one side, anyway.
The USS Charleston steamed into Apra Harbor and fired a salvo at its fort. There was no reply from Spanish defenders.
“Pretty soon, out comes a rowboat,” Jollota said. Four Spanish authorities climbed aboard the warship, and the lead Spanish official had this surprising greeting for the American captain: “Thank you for your gracious salute. I don’t get many, so they don’t give me any ammunition with which to return them.”
Nobody had bothered to notify the garrison that there was a war going on, Jollota said.
“So they inform him that we are at war and he now is a prisoner of war and tell him to surrender the garrison.”
Guam became America’s first possession in the Pacific. And it became the place where — as Guam’s convention delegations like to point out — America’s day begins.
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