Asan, Guam

Asan, Asan-Maina Assan; Ma'ina
Village
Location of Asan within the Territory of Guam.
Country	United States
Territory	Guam
Government
• Mayor	Vincent John Babauta II (D)
Population (2010)
• Total	2,137
• Ethnic groups, Asian	Chamorro
Time zone	ChST (UTC+10)
Village Flower	Plumeria rubra

Asan (Chamorro: Assan) is a village located on the western shore of the United States territory of Guam. The municipality of Asan-Maina combines Asan with Maina, a community in the hills to the east. It was a primary landing site for United States Marines during Guam's liberation from the Japanese during World War II. Asan Beach Park is part of the War in the Pacific National Historic Park. Asan and Maina are located in the Luchan (Western) District.

Asan derives its name from the Chamorro word hassan meaning scarce or rare. A meaning of the word ma’ina refers to an infant who, between the time of birth and baptism, is taken by the mother to Mass before sunrise; this ritual considered the presentation of the child to the temple or church.

On July 21, 1944 the Americans landed in Asan to recapture the island from occupying Japanese forces during the Battle of Guam. The 3rd Marine Division landed in Asan at 08:28, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 Landing Vehicle Trackeds, but by 09:00 tanks were ashore at both beaches. United States Marines fought Japanese forces fortified in the hills above the shore after establishing a beach head. During the following week, Americans pursued retreating Japanese forces northward and eventually won the battle.

From April to November 1975 the former Camp Asan was used as a refugee camp for South Vietnamese refugees during Operation New Life.

On August 6, 1997, Korean Air Flight 801 crashed on Nimitz Hill in Asan. A memorial was later constructed.

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