“Fita-Fita Guard. The native Samoan Naval Guard Force is brought to attention by BMI/c Suitonu, USN, a veteran of 15 years on the force, March 1943. Naval Station in Samoa.” Note the traditional uniform and the M1903 Springfields. Catalog #: USMC 53188/National Archives
The Sextant has a great piece up over there about the Samoan Fitafita Guard that was part of the U.S. Navy from 1900-1951.
The guard soon carved out their own military enclave in the South Pacific, serving both the U.S. Navy and their own people under a banner of mutual respect and admiration. The men of the Fitafita proudly served “with a full heart,” according to former Guardsman Tuala Sevaatasi.
The Fitafita Guard had many of the same rights and responsibilities of regular enlisted personnel. Fitafita were given regular Navy pay as well as 20% overseas pay. They were not, however, permitted to serve outside of the home islands at sea, which made them more of an honor guard and ceremonial band than fighting unit. One source stated that some Fitafita guardsmen were given sea duty on an ocean-going tug during the beginning of the outfit’s operation.
