Battle of Guam (1941)

BelligerentsUnited StatesJapanCommanders and leadersGeorge J. McMillinTomitaro HoriiStrengthLand:
547 marines and sailors
Sea:
1 minesweeper
2 patrol boats
1 freighterLand:
5,900 infantry and marines
Sea:
4 heavy cruisers
4 destroyers
2 gunboats
6 submarine chasers
2 minesweepers
2 tenders
Air:
unknown air forcesCasualties and losses 17 killed
35 wounded
406 captured
1 minesweeper scuttled
1 patrol boat scuttled
1 patrol boat captured
1 freighter damaged 1 killed
6 wounded
1 aircraft destroyed

• Thirteen American civilians and five POWs were killed by Japanese forces during the battle.
• Three Japanese infiltrators were captured by American forces, but were released upon the surrender of the island.

The Battle of Guam was an engagement during the Pacific War in World War II that took place from 8 to 10 December 1941 on Guam in the Mariana Islands between Japan and the United States. The American garrison was defeated by Japanese forces on 10 December, which resulted in an occupation until the Second Battle of Guam in 1944.