Manuel Flores Leon Guerrero

The Honorable Manuel F. Leon Guerrero
Governor Manuel Flores Leon Guerrero
6th Appointed Governor of Guam
In office March 9, 1963 – July 20, 1969
Preceded by	Bill Daniel
Succeeded by	Carlos Camacho
5th Secretary of Guam
In office 1961–1963
Governor	Bill Daniel
Preceded by	A. M. Edwards
Succeeded by	Denver Dickerson
Personal details
Born	Manuel Flores Leon Guerrero (1914-10-25)October 25, 1914 Hagåtña, Guam
Died	October 9, 1985(1985-10-09) (aged 70) Tamuning, Guam
Political party	Democratic Party of Guam
Spouse(s)	Delfina Tuncap Antonia Rabon
Children	11

Manuel Flores "Carson" Leon Guerrero (October 29, 1914 – October 9, 1985) was the sixth Appointed Governor of Guam from 1963 to 1969. He was appointed to the office after the term of Bill Daniel. He was a member of the Democratic Party of Guam and was the first of native Chamorro descent to rise to the highest office in the territory.

Manuel F. Leon Guerrero was born in October 25, 1914 from his parents Jose L.G. Leon Guerrero (dec.) and Maria Lujan Flores (dec.) of Agana, and was the oldest of three children.

During the first days of the Japanese occupation of Guam, Leon Guerrero's role within Guam's Naval government made him a marked man. He spent the early days of the occupation with family in tow evading capture by hiding in the jungles of Guam. Along with many other of the Chamorro people, Leon Guerrero was eventually interned for a period by the Japanese military. Following his internment, he was forced to work on a manpower study made by the Japanese Military Government. During the remainder of the occupation, he supported his family by farming, except during periods he was assigned to forced labor camps with other Chamorros.

Leon Guerrero first served as a member of the Guam Congress from 1948-1950 as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He later became a leading member of the first Guam Legislature as Chairman of the Rules Committee and held several executive branch positions before his appointment as Secretary of Guam under Governor Bill Daniel.

His other early public offices included:

During the years following World War II, Guam went through a series of gubernatorial appointments. Although Leon Guerrero continued to work in various civil positions, it wasn't until the appointment of Governor Bill Daniel that a true leadership opportunity emerged.

Governor Daniel resigned from his position in September 1962, but his resignation was not accepted by President John F. Kennedy until January 1963. Meanwhile, Daniel went on a world tour during this period. After Daniel departed Guam, Leon Guerrero was left in charge, as the next highest public official, until a new governor was appointed.