We Fought the Navy and Won: Guam's Quest for Democracy

Doloris Coulter Cogan

Published by University of Hawaii Press 2008

We Fought the Navy and Won

Guam's Quest for Democracy

Doloris Coulter Cogan

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824865559

Overview
Contents

About this book

We Fought the Navy and Won is a carefully documented yet impassioned recollection of Guam’s struggle to liberate itself from the absolutist rule of the U.S. Navy. Doloris Cogan concentrates on five crucial years, 1945–1950, when, fresh out of journalism school, she had the good fortune to join the distinguished team of idealists at the newly formed Institute of Ethnic Affairs in Washington, D.C. Working as a writer/editor on the monthly Guam Echo under the leadership of the Institute’s director, John Collier, Cogan witnessed and recorded the battle fought at the very top between Collier and Navy Secretary James V. Forrestal as the people of Guam petitioned the U.S. Congress for civilian government under a constitution. Taken up by newspapers throughout the country, this war of words illustrated how much freedom of the press plays in achieving and sustaining true democracy.

Part of the story centers around a young Chamorro named Carlos Taitano, who returned home to Guam in 1948 after serving in the U.S. Army in the Pacific. Taitano joined his colleagues in the lower house and walked out of the Guam Congress in 1949 to protest the naval governor, who had refused their right to subpoena an American businessman suspected of illegal activity. The walkout was the catalyst that brought approval of the Organic Act of Guam, which was signed into law by President Truman in 1950. We Fought the Navy and Won is the first detailed look at the events surrounding Guam’s elevation from military to civilian government.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Introduction Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
Chapter 1. Welcome to Guam Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter 2. The Institute of Ethnic Affairs Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	31
Chapter 3. Collier and Ickes Kick Off the Battle Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	39
Chapter 4. To Be or Not to Be a Strategic Trusteeship Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	45
Chapter 5. The Guam Echo Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	57
Chapter 6. The Fight for Civilian Government Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	69
Chapter 7. The Press Weighs In Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	84
Chapter 8. The Navy versus the Guamanians Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	97
Chapter 9. Rehabilitation of Guam Begins Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	105
Chapter 10. F. B. Leon Guerrero Goes to Washington Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	123
Chapter 11. Guam Assembly Walkout Spurs Congress Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	132
Chapter 12. Connie Barrett Goes to Washington Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	143
Chapter 13. Truman Decides by Decree Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	153
Chapter 14. Skinner Becomes First Civilian Governor Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	162
Chapter 15. The Organic Act Becomes Law Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	175
Chapter 16. Mission Accomplished Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	187
Appendixes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	191
Map and Photo Credits Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	224
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	225
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	237
About the Author Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	245

Language: English
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 264
Illustrations
- Other: 47 b&w illustrations, 4 maps

eBook

Published: March 25, 2008
ISBN: 9780824865559