An American Shame: The Abandonment of an Entire American Population - Paperback

by Sr. Usmc Bates (Author)

This is a true story of the Americans of Guam. Abandoned by their government even before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. That abandonment opened the door for the Japanese conquest of Dutch East Indies, the Solomon Islands, and the Philippines, and the brutal imprisonment of 25,000 American civilians in their own homelands. These American civilians, mostly Chamorros, suffered torture, rapes, and death for 31 months awaiting the return of military and naval forces of the country who had abandoned them. All through that occupation and uncivilized brutality they remained covertly and overtly loyal to America and Americans. Even today, these Americans of Guam struggle for recognition, restitution, and rewards for their unfailing contributions and loyalty to the United States of America. This is one of their many stories: Not too long ago, a young American soldier arrived home here from one of our recent wars in a foreign land. He arrived in a wooden casket, draped with an American flag. A guard of honor escorted his remains and local dignitaries honored his return home, greeting him at the airport in a manner all military war casualties deserve. He served his country honorably and gave his life, not only defending America, but giving the people in a foreign land the right to choose their own destiny - the right to vote for their leaders, the right to own property, the right to prosper by the sweat of their own brow, the right to receive benefits from the government that levies taxes on them, and protection from government's ability to take their property without due process. These are some of the things that young soldier fought and died for- things he cannot have. Before this young man entered military service - and had he lived to return here as a military veteran - he was and would have been ineligible to vote for his commander-in-chief, the president of the United States. He would be required to pay taxes, but would not receive the full benefits of that taxation. For example, he would pay tax for the Affordable Care Act but would not be eligible for its benefits. Where this young soldier is buried, and where his father lives, American flags fly from masts and standards, the Star Spangled Banner is sung, and pride for America is firmly rooted in the hearts and minds of every living soul. Indeed, here the World War II population - those Tom Brokaw forgot to write about in his "The Greatest Generation," the grandparents of this young soldier - was abandoned by its government to face imprisonment, brutality, torture and attempted extermination by Japan during 31 months of agony from December 1941 to July 1944. Their love and pride in America knows no bounds. And, even though limited U.S. citizenship was granted this population by Congress after the war, they have all the requirements and demands of citizenship, but not all of the rights of citizenship. They have no representation (law making vote) in the Congress of the United States. Yet, they continue to march to the sound of the guns when America calls. This is Guam, America's western outpost, occupied by the guardians of the outer limits on America's frontier. The first to see the sun rise over American soil are the people of Guam. As retired Marine Brigadier Gen. Vicente Blaz once told Congress about the people of Guam, "equal in war, unequal in peace." That statement appropriately describes these American military veterans and retired military residing here. It's a national disgrace the American people should tell Congress to correct. Soon The author spent six months on the American island of Guam and over a year of intensive research, and reflects his admiration for the Chamorros of Guam, and his incomprehension of their treatment by the United States government. This book is to awaken the American people, all the American people, to the stories of a society of captives, and their dreams of justice.

Author Biography

At the age of seventeen, Ralph Stoney Bates dropped out of high school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was a drill instructor at Parris Island when he met and married his wife (Lyn) of over fifty-five years. He has served his country in "every clime and place," including the Republic of Vietnam (1967-'68), duty with the U.S. Army Military Police School as a Marine instructor, and graduated with the 124th session of the FBI National Academy. He retired from the Marine Corps after twenty-six years active duty. He is also a retired deputy sheriff. He holds an associate degree from Los Angeles City College and a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University. He has been an instructor at various colleges and universities (St John Fisher and Los Angeles Colleges, Universities of Hawaii, and Maryland, and recently Furman University, through the years. An American Shame is the culmination of six months on the American island of Guam and over a year of intensive research, and it reflects his admiration for the Chamorros of Guam, and his incomprehension of their treatment by the United States government. In addition to "An American Shame," he has published "Short Rations For Marines," an anthology of 52 true stories by 37 different authors. He also wrote and published "A Marine Called Gabe," the story of John Archer Lejeune (pronounced luh jern), the thirteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps, often called "The greatest Leatherneck of them all." Prior to this book, he finished and edited an unpublished manuscript, written by Master Gunnery Sergeant Burnard Winburn, USMC (Ret) deceased. The book was published under the title "Back Step" by Winburn's step-daughter. Major Bates has been the principle speaker at the Marine Corps Birthday celebrations for the U.S. Embassies of Portugal and Belgium, and he created The Marine Corps Mess of Greenville (SC) to celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday with any and all desiring to participate. He resides with his wife, Lyn, in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.