It happened more than 70 years ago, but it provides some sobering insight into the bitter race relations that would weigh on a generation of Americans that followed.

Of all places Guam, and of all times Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But that's where and when the tragic riots unfolded. Writer Carla Smith was researching her thesis on the contributions of African Americans in Guam, when she learned of the incidents from University of Guam president Robert Underwood. Intrigued, Carla is working on a documentary for local PBS.

"And it's about an incident that happened near the end of world war two here on Guam between black and white service members. Between navy sailors and white marines," she detailed.

Carla says her research shows tensions were already running very high. She writes that one historian called it one of the most serious incidents between African American and white military personnel during the second world war. Blacks felt slighted by what they considered discriminatory practices within the armed forces.

The confrontation was fueled by that and competition for the attention of local women, saying, "The actual riot itself lasted for two days from the 24th of December to the 26th of December, but there are a lot of things that actually led up to it. You know for example there were skirmishes between black and white servicemembers, there was rock throwing, there was some shooting, racially-motivated shootings, grenade-throwing, all of these different things that happened, and it kind of escalated up until the 24th when it erupted basically into this conflict here on Guam."

The rioters were charged in military court, and for her documentary Carla is trying to reach out to witnesses, or even their descendants who might know more about what happened. She explained, "Yes, there were actually some Chamorros who testified during the court proceedings. Off the top of my head I can think of Antonio Manglona, Vincente Rosario testified, a David T. Cruz, they both would've been about 16 or 17 years old at that time. Antonia Tenorio Rivera, Lawrence Tenorio Rivera, Candelaria Tenorio Rivera, Jose Leon Guerrero who served as an interpreter during the proceedings, Ana Flores testified, and a Rose Blas. Gave information to help the proceedings, to help the investigation.

"If anybody knows about their relatives testifying I'd be more than happy to talk to them. Because we want to make it interesting, and we want to get prospective from everybody."

There were many disturbing events that lead to the fateful riots, what was the final catalyst and how did it end?

Smith said, "There were two deaths, and there was some prosecution yes. But I can't give the whole thing, you have to watch it."

Her documentary is scheduled to air on local PBS in spring 2018.