Point Udall (Guam)

Point Udall (Orote Point) is the headland on the right in this view of Apra Harbor's mouth

Point Udall (13°26′51.2″N 144°37′5.5″E / 13.447556°N 144.618194°E / 13.447556; 144.618194) is the westernmost point (by travel, not longitude), in the territorial United States, located on the Orote Peninsula of Guam. It lies at the mouth of Apra Harbor, on the end of Orote Peninsula, opposite the Glass Breakwater of Cabras Island which forms the northern coast of the harbor.

Naming

The point is named for former Arizona congressman Morris "Mo" Udall. It was called "Orote Point" until it was renamed "Point Udall" in May 1987. In 1987, H.R. 2434, proposed by Denny Smith of Oregon, proposed renaming the point "to honor the service and accomplishments of Morris Udall."[1] It was referred to the House Subcommittee on Insular and International Affairs.[1] In May 1987 it was officially designed Point Udall by Governor of Guam Joseph Franklin Ada.

Point Udall, Virgin Islands is the easternmost point in the United States by travel, and was named for Udall's brother, Stewart. In a 1987 statement in regards to H.R. 2434, Denny Smith and Guam's nonvoting congressional delegate Ben Blaz said "If our legislation is approved, America's day would begin and end at a Point Udall."[1] When Mo Udall died in 1998, President Bill Clinton issued a statement saying in part "It is fitting that the easternmost point of the United States, in the Virgin Islands, and the westernmost point, in Guam, are both named 'Udall Point.' The Sun will never set on the legacy of Mo Udall."[2] This was also noted in the Congressional Record by Rep. George Miller of California.[3]

History

Point Udall was the site of Orote Field airbase during World War II. It was built by Japan during their occupation of the island from December 10, 1941 to July 21, 1944. Beginning in May 1944 and continued during the second Battle of Guam, the airfield was attacked from the air and American troops established their beachhead on either side of the Orote Peninsula on July 21 in order to seize the airfield and the deep water harbor nearby. The airfield was recaptured by July 30.[4]

Many sources still call it Orote Point, such as the US Military's Orote Point Lanes bowling alley.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bill text and articles from the University of Arizona
  2. ↑ Weekly compilation of Presidential documents, 1998
  3. ↑ Congressional Record
  4. ↑ "Pacific Wrecks".
  5. ↑ MWR bowling alley site

External links

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