Utulei in Maʻopūtasi County, American Samoa — Pacific Ocean (Oceania)
Blunts Point Naval Gun Site
Courtesy of Thomas P. Martin, January 24, 2015
1. Blunts Point Naval Gun Site Marker
National
Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America
1987
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior
Erected 1987.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list.
Location. 14° 17.127′ S, 170° 40.624′ W. Marker is in Utulei, American Samoa, in Maʻopūtasi County. Marker can be reached from American Samoa Route 001. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pago Pago AS 96799, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Vai'ava Strait (approx. 3.1 miles away).
More about this marker. Marker is accessible only via a steep, rocky half-mile trail through dense rainforest. The trail begins behind the laundromat south of the water treatment plant on Pago Pago Harbor. There are two gun emplacements at the site; the marker is next to the first (lower) one.
Regarding Blunts Point Naval Gun Site.
this page online
The Blunts Point battery at American Samoa is symbolic of the grim months following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese advances in the Pacific appeared to be unstoppable. Samoa was a vital link in the route from the United States to Australia and New Zealand, and Japan's 1938 Basic War Plan called for its seizure. There was considerable evidence in early 1942 that Japan was preparing to seize Samoa, especially after its advance into the Gilbert Islands to the north and New Britain to the west. The United States rushed the 2d Marine Brigade to strengthen American Samoa's defenses and the 3d Brigade to defend Western Samoa and Wallis Islands. American Samoa became the largest Marine Corps installation in the Pacific Ocean. After the Battle of Midway, a Japanese invasion was no longer a threat. Samoa continued to play an important role as a Marine Corps advanced training center in jungle warfare and a staging area for the coming battles in the South Pacific. World War II coastal guns in situ are extremely rare in the Pacific, thus adding to this battery's significance.
Also see . . .
1. Blunts Point Battery. Wikipedia entry on the landmark battery. (Submitted on October 27, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Asset Detail | American Samoa Defenses: Blunts Point Battery
Courtesy of Thomas P. Martin, January 24, 2015
2. Blunts Point Gun Emplacement
The marker is out of view to the right. It is on a concrete pedestal between two flagpoles.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
