It was part of the fortification of the Samoan Islands which took place after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and is a rare example of a World War II Pacific coastal gun which remains in relatively pristine condition.

The guns are mounted in circular concrete structures with a parapet about 4 feet (1.2 m) high around the outside.

[citation needed] It is accessible to the public via a moderately difficult hiking trail.

The tensions of World War II prompted the United States government to begin fortifying American Samoa in 1940.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 and the capture of Guam shortly thereafter, American Samoa became of critical importance as the only major American base in the western Pacific, and it was further fortified in anticipation of attack.