6 Mar 2019

US commission reviews Guam war claims

9:53 am on 6 March 2019

Guam is no closer to honouring its "greatest generation" and recognising the survivors of the occupation during the Second World War.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero Photo: Supplied/ Expressions Studio

The US Department of Treasury said it was unable to issue final award payments because Guam's World War II Loyalty Recognition Act does not contain the appropriations language.

In 2016, the US Senate passed a bill which included war reparations for those who suffered during Japan's occupation of Guam.

But the US Treasury said the senate's act did not include the right language to allow it to issue the funds for the Guam survivors.

To fix this glitch both US Congress delegate Michael San Nicolas and Guam governor Lou Leon Guerrero have been lobbying Washington.

The 2016, bill passed by a Senate vote of 92 to 7, was signed into law by former President Barack Obama.

This year marks the 78th anniversary of the bombing of Guam on 8 December 1941 and the start of what would be 32 months of occupation by Japanese forces.

The bill also allows for a review of service records for each military department of Asian American and Pacific islanders who served during the Korean or Vietnam Wars and earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross, but who may be eligible for the Medal of Honour.

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