History of Marine Drive:

In March 1944 Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief Pacific and Commander-in-Chief Pacific Ocean Areas, created a special headquarters called Forward Area Pacific Command headed by Vice Admiral John H. Hoover who was given responsibility for Pacific islands after they were conquered by U.S. forces.

After the start of the Guam invasion on 21 July 1944, Hoover's responsibility focused on the Marianas, and his title then became Commander, Marianas Area. Hoover's authority on Guam was delegated to Major General Henry L. Larsen, USMC, who was named island commander by Nimitz on 15 August 1944.Hoover and Larsen placed top priority on the construction of a permanent, multi-lane express highway from Apra Harbor to the sites for airfields and naval facilities.

Construction began in September 1944 under the Fifth Naval Construction Brigade commanded by Captain William O. Hiltabiddle, Jr. who commanded nine Seabee battalions, three stevedore battalions, the Third Marine Division's engineer battalion, and four army aviation engineer battalions. The road was put into use even before it was completely paved, used for hauling ordinance and supplies from Apra Harbor to the air bases in the North. The road was named "Marine Drive" in honor of the Marines who took the island from the Japanese.

[from Destiny’s Landfall by Dr. Robert Rogers]