Micronesia History
Learn about the Zimmerman Telegram, WWI,
Japanese Acquisition
Japanese Hospital
Hospital where an American aviator POW met
his end. He was kept in the room at the far right. Read his account
in "Ghost Ships" Silander Manuel, a Mortlockese who
taught me Trukese told me about him that they also slit his eyelids
so that his eyes could never close again. This just before they
killed him. That's what Richard, the orderly who went to Saipan
to testify against the Japanese, told me they did with them.
Navy Grave Markers
They are everywhere. Here is a grave marker
for the Shiruya/Shigeto families. See that 2-17-44 date? That's
an Operation Hailstone victim. These are Japanese / Trukese, as
Japanese always cremate. Buddism says must cremate to free soul
from body. That's why all the pilgrimages to recover bones, burn,
and send ashes back to Nippon.
American Innovations
After the war, when the Americans first came to
Truk, they brought many marvelous innovations, including bubble
gum and ice cream, both lead to some interesting cultural reactions
to their new American friends.
Zero Recovery
I saw a Zero lashed to the deck of the Enna
G. and being taken from Laura in the Marshalls to Saipan-in 1980-81.
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