372b550c-672a-475f-a4de-38724cbb37c8

Reyes, Jose_WAPA-246_WAPA 4170_OralHist_Video.mp4.mp4

Jose Reyes was born March 17, 1920 in Merizo, Guam. He was the only child of Luce [Phonetic] and Isabelle Reyes. Mr. Reyes completed school to the 6th grade. His parents were farmers of corn, rice and vegetables and also raised various farm animals. Mr. Reyes was employed as a heavy equipment operator at a plant in Agana. He wanted to be a heavy equipment operator because he knew he could earn more money doing so and attended school to get his certificate. He also worked on his family farm and stated that he loves to work and doesn’t like at all to be idle. When the Japanese began bombing Guam Mr. Reyes was employed on the night shift at the plant. He saw Japanese ships but the people thought the ships were show boats, or Gold Star ships since those were the only kind of ships that came to Guam. However, when the Japanese invaded Guam he avoided them and stayed on his farm. Mr. Reyes was asked if he knew George Tweed. He said he knew about him but never met him. He also said he didn’t feel it was the right thing for the Chamorro’s to help the American radioman since the Japanese tortured and killed those Chamorro’s who helped to hide him in order to get information about George Tweed. Jose stated that on the 10th of July he was working at the plant and heard that the Japanese were about to execute four Chamorro people in Merizo. He and six other young men went to there to try and save these people from execution. His plan was to attack the Japanese in the encampment with fists first when he came upon 4 Japanese soldiers washing. They punched the men in their foreheads then after they were knocked out they hung the four Japanese soldiers from a tree and cut their stomachs. They took their guns and found a place about 5 miles in the jungle to take the remaining 500 concentration camp prisoners and was successful in saving his people. He received an award for his bravery and courage. Mr. Reyes has 12 children. He resides in Guam with his family.

U.S. National Park Service, War in the Pacific National Historical Park

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War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Code: WAPA

Guam , Guam
War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Guam , Guam
Latitude: 13.3905000686646, Longitude: 144.654006958008

ICMS (Interior Collection Managment System) : WAPA-00246
NPS Museum Number Catalog : WAPA 4170

War in the Pacific Oral Histories

2025/03/07

T. Stell Newman Visitor Center, Collections room, Safe and Shelf SLF D-01

Public Can View

Rose Manibusan, Jennifer Craig

Organization: American Memorial Park
Role: Chief Interpretation
Address: Micro Beach Road, Garapan, Mp 96950
Email: wapa_interpretation@nps.gov

Friday, April 4, 2025 9:25:54 PM

Friday, April 4, 2025 9:25:54 PM

Reyes, Jose_WAPA-246_WAPA 4170_OralHist_Video.mp4.mp4

mp4

1056.1 MB

Historic

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