Pensacolian Chief Aerographer Luther Wilbur Jones (Meteorologists) from Warrington was stationed on Guam in December 1941 as the clouds of war gathered to the east. Four days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese landed troops on the island of Guam on December 10, 1941. Over 400 troops stormed ashore and completely overran the defenders. The Commanding Officer of the island ordered his troops to surrender rather than shed any further bloodshed in a futile attempt to defend the island. Six American defenders refused to surrender and escaped to the jungles. They were George Tweed, Albert Joseph Tyson, Clarence Bruce Johnston (USS Penguin), Yeoman Adolphe Yablonsky, Chief Aerographer Luther Wilbur Jones, and Michael L. Krump (USS Penguin).
They stuck together for a while, but later chose to split up to avoid detection. Each of them hid in caves, sometimes changing hiding places three times a day. Any of the local Chamorro natives that were suspected of helping the missing Americans were either beaten or forced to their knees and beheaded. The Japanese issued an ultimatum to the hunted Americans and local natives alike, "surrender within 30 days or be executed." Yablonsky, Krump, and Jones were finally captured on September 11, 1942 while sleeping and bayoneted to death after being forced to dig their own graves. Weeks later on October 22, 1942, Tyson and Johnston were also found and executed. This left Tweed the only survivor.
On June 11, 1944, the American returned in force to recapture the island. Tweed watched the buildup of enemy troops preparing to repel them. When the Navy began its bombardment of the island Tweed hid in caves to avoid the Japanese and keep from being blown away by the Americans. He finally escaped a few weeks before the landing on July 21st by signaling a destroyer with a blinker light. In 1945, he wrote a book of his experiences called "Robinson Crusoe, USN." For his heroism, Tweed was awarded the Legion of Merit and promoted to the rank of Chief. He had also promised a local native, Antonio Artero, a brand new car if he evaded capture and returned to the United States. With the help of General Motors, Tweed sent a car to the young man with his heartfelt thanks. The man who had outwitted the entire Japanese army died in an automobile accident in 1989. He is buried at Eagle Point Cemetery in Oregon. His story was picked up by Hollywood in the 1962 movie “No Man is an Island” starring Jeffrey Hunter as George Tweed.
Lt. George Ray Tweed, evaded the
Japanese until his rescue 1944
Pensacola News Journal 9-8-1944
His name is wrong in the article and is actually
Chief Luther Wilber Jones, US Navy
Hollywood's "No Man is an Island"
released in 1962 starring Jeffrey Hunter
about George Ray Tweed