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Forgotten Island: The WWII Story of One Sailor's Survival on Japanese-Occupied Guam
Forgotten Island is the story of Navy radioman George Tweed, who was trapped on Japanese-occupied Guam during World War II, and the American liberation of the island.
The opening days of World War II in the Pacific found the island of Guam in the Mariana Islands to be an isolated American possession that was nearly surrounded by Japanese territory. The island came under immediate attack with the start of hostilities. The small garrison of marines, navy personnel, and Guamanians surrendered to Japanese invaders after offering only token resistance.
However, not all of the American servicemen capitulated. Navy radioman George Ray Tweed was one of six sailors who disappeared into the thick interior jungle. The Japanese occupiers quickly solidified control over the island and began a ruthless search for the missing sailors. Five of the Americans were eventually found and mercilessly killed. The sole survivor, Tweed spent the next thirty-one months on the run—sometimes literally running for his life—staying just one step ahead of his hunters. He continually eluded his pursuers through the use of his survival skills, some good luck, and the generous help of Guamanian civilians, often at great risk to their own safety.
During the two and a half years the sailor remained in hiding, American forces were fighting their way across the Pacific. The events reached a crescendo in the summer of 1944 with the arrival of the American fleet in Guam. A major naval battle, an amphibious invasion, the rescue of George Tweed, and a brutal fight to liberate Guam all combine to bring this epic story to a close.
The opening days of World War II in the Pacific found the island of Guam in the Mariana Islands to be an isolated American possession that was nearly surrounded by Japanese territory. The island came under immediate attack with the start of hostilities. The small garrison of marines, navy personnel, and Guamanians surrendered to Japanese invaders after offering only token resistance.
However, not all of the American servicemen capitulated. Navy radioman George Ray Tweed was one of six sailors who disappeared into the thick interior jungle. The Japanese occupiers quickly solidified control over the island and began a ruthless search for the missing sailors. Five of the Americans were eventually found and mercilessly killed. The sole survivor, Tweed spent the next thirty-one months on the run—sometimes literally running for his life—staying just one step ahead of his hunters. He continually eluded his pursuers through the use of his survival skills, some good luck, and the generous help of Guamanian civilians, often at great risk to their own safety.
During the two and a half years the sailor remained in hiding, American forces were fighting their way across the Pacific. The events reached a crescendo in the summer of 1944 with the arrival of the American fleet in Guam. A major naval battle, an amphibious invasion, the rescue of George Tweed, and a brutal fight to liberate Guam all combine to bring this epic story to a close.
336 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2024
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About the author
John J. Domagalski
6 books2 followersJohn J. Domagalski(www.pacificwarauthor.com) is the author of Into the Dark Water: The Story of Three Officers and PT-109 (Casemate, 2014). The book uses the stories of three young naval officers to tell the World War II saga of the warship made famous by John F. Kennedy.
He is also the author of two other books. Sunk in Kula Gulf: The Final Voyage of the U.S.S. Helena and the Incredible Story of her Survivors in World War II (Potomac, 2012), tells the amazing little-known story of heroism and survival at sea that followed Helena’s sinking in 1943. Lost at Guadalcanal: The Final Battles of the Astoria and Chicago as Described by Survivors and in Official Reports (McFarland, 2010), follows two World War II American warships through one of the U.S. Navy’s greatest naval defeats. His articles have appeared in World War II History, Naval History, and World War II Quarterly Magazines.
Domagalski’s fascination with history began at a young age by building model ships and reading books about World War II. The interest eventually grew into research and writing. He has interviewed scores of veterans who served in the Pacific during World War II. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and lives near Chicago.
He is also the author of two other books. Sunk in Kula Gulf: The Final Voyage of the U.S.S. Helena and the Incredible Story of her Survivors in World War II (Potomac, 2012), tells the amazing little-known story of heroism and survival at sea that followed Helena’s sinking in 1943. Lost at Guadalcanal: The Final Battles of the Astoria and Chicago as Described by Survivors and in Official Reports (McFarland, 2010), follows two World War II American warships through one of the U.S. Navy’s greatest naval defeats. His articles have appeared in World War II History, Naval History, and World War II Quarterly Magazines.
Domagalski’s fascination with history began at a young age by building model ships and reading books about World War II. The interest eventually grew into research and writing. He has interviewed scores of veterans who served in the Pacific during World War II. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and lives near Chicago.
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January 23, 2025
Enjoyed this book. Really more a history of the occupation a d liberation of Guam. I’d recommend reading this one.
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