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Today in History: Okinawa villagers hide Marines' murders for 50 years

7/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 14 July 1945, three African-American U.S. Marines who had repeatedly raped women in Katsuyama, a village near Nago on Okinawa Island, were killed by local residents. Fearing retaliation, the villagers concealed the bodies in a nearby cave, where they remained hidden for more than five decades.

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Story summary

On 14 July 1945, three African-American U.S. Marines who had repeatedly raped women in Katsuyama, a village near Nago on Okinawa Island, were killed by local residents. Fearing retaliation, the villagers concealed the bodies in a nearby cave, where they remained hidden for more than five decades.