About this Unit
The Naval Supply Depot Guam was established during World War II following the liberation of Guam by U.S. forces in 1944. The depot quickly became a critical logistics and supply hub in the Pacific Theater, supporting naval operations during the final campaigns against Japan. It managed the receipt, storage, and distribution of vast quantities of food, fuel, munitions, and other supplies essential for fleet and shore activities. After the war, the depot continued to play a vital role in supporting U.S. military operations in the Western Pacific, adapting to changing strategic requirements during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Historical Facts
•
Strategic Location: The Naval Supply Depot Guam was established during World War II due to Guam’s critical location in the Pacific, serving as a logistics hub for operations against Japan.
•
Massive Construction Effort: In 1944, after the liberation of Guam, thousands of Seabees (Naval Construction Battalions) worked around the clock to build the supply depot from scratch.
•
Largest in the Pacific: By the end of WWII, the depot on Guam was the largest U.S. naval supply facility in the Western Pacific, supporting hundreds of ships and millions of personnel.
•
Critical WWII Support: The depot supplied ammunition, fuel, food, and spare parts to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, enabling the island-hopping campaign that led to Japan’s defeat.
•
Underground Storage: To protect supplies from enemy attack and typhoons, parts of the depot included extensive underground storage bunkers and tunnels.
•
Post-war Role: After WWII, the depot continued to serve as a vital logistics center during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, supporting U.S. and allied operations in Asia.
•
"Red Hill" Connection: The supply depot worked in coordination with the famous Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii to ensure steady flow of fuel to the Pacific fleet.
•
Guam Typhoons: The depot survived several devastating typhoons, which often required rapid repairs and demonstrated the resilience and importance of the installation.
•
Local Workforce: The depot became one of the largest employers on Guam, providing jobs and training for local Chamorro residents and helping to shape the island’s post-war economy.
•
Legacy and Transformation: Today, the area once occupied by the Naval Supply Depot is part of Naval Base Guam, continuing its tradition as a key logistics and support hub for U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific region.
