World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

In 1903, the United States supported the separatist movement in Colombia; when the separatists achieved in breaking the province of Panama from Colombia, the United States was awarded with what was to become the Panama Canal Zone to construct a canal linking the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) and the Pacific Ocean. The canal zone had an area of 553 square-mile, or 1,430 square-kilometers. It was categorized as a unorganized US Territory. The head of government of the territory was the head of the Panama Canal Company, and the law was upheld by the United States District Court for the Canal Zone. The capital of the canal zone was Balboa, a city where about half of the territory's population resided. Just prior to the US entry into WW2, the Panama Canal Zone was assigned under the Caribbean Defense Command, and a major effort to improve the poor communication systems (and other less-than-ideal infrastructure) began mid-year. When the tension with Japan mounted, all Japanese ships were forced out of the canal zone by 22 Jul 1941. The canal zone was well-defended due to its strategic importance. Although hostile submarines did venture near the canal, it was never in serious harm. The Panama Canal Zone was returned to the Republic of Panama on 1 Oct 1979 as agreed two years prior with the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.

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