In his classic History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Navy Lieutenant Commander Samuel Eliot Morison wrote that the Aleutian Islands campaign could well have been labeled the 'Theater of Military Frustration.' This phrase aptly describes the American effort to retake the Aleutian island of Attu from the Japanese in 1943. It was a campaign handicapped not only by the island's fanatical defenders and the bitter Alaskan cold but also by the many miscalculations made by the Army itself. Yet this important campaign to take back U.S. soil, which witnessed the first American amphibious assault in the North Pacific as well as one of the first Japanese banzai attacks of the war, has been pushed into the background by many historians. Such obscurity is unwarranted, and an injustice to those soldiers who fought against extremely difficult odds to place the Aleutian Islands firmly back into Allied hands.
Attu is the westernmost island of the Aleutians, a chain of some 70 islands stretching 1,700 miles from the southwest coast of Alaska and reaching out to within 650 miles of the Kurile Islands. Since purchasing the Aleutians from Russia in 1867, the United States had done little to develop the area, and most of the islands had not even been fully mapped. As a result of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922, the United States pledged not to construct any naval fortifications on the islands, a promise that it quickly revoked after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
By spring of 1942, there were 45,000 American servicemen in Alaska, 13,000 of whom were stationed on the partially fortified islands of Unalaska and Umnak. The only heavy fortifications were at Dutch Harbor, but even these were defended by a relatively small force.
In early June 1942, during the Battle of Midway, a Japanese carrier force staged a diversionary attack on Dutch Harbor. Although damaging, the raid failed to divert American carriers from Midway, resulting in a decisive U.S. naval victory there. On the way back to base, however, Vice Adm. Boshiro Hosogaya, commander of the Northern Area Force, ordered Rear Adm. Sentaro Omori to occupy Agattu, Kiska and Attu islands.
As it was American soil, the enemy presence in the western Aleutians was a source of embarrassment and discomfort to the U.S. government. It also brought several theoretical advantages to Japan. Although intense Arctic storms and fog around the islands made any attempt to use the Aleutians as a bridge to the Alaskan coast difficult, a gradual Japanese incursion onto the North American continent was not impossible. The islands also threatened vital shipping lanes between Seattle and parts of the Soviet Union. Finally, and perhaps most important, Japanese presence in the Aleutians meant that the airspace over the Home Islands might be relatively free of major U.S. bombing efforts.
Shortly after landing, the Japanese withdrew from Agattu and began building airstrips on Kiska. American troops landed on the island of Adak about 210 miles east of Kiska, and built two air bases there. They also occupied the island of Amchitka about 60 miles east of Kiska, although airstrip construction was nearly impossible due to weather and terrain.Because operations in the Central Pacific were of higher priority, American plans for the recapture of Kiska and Attu were shelved for months. By early 1943, however, the Joint Chiefs of Staff decided that it was time to dislodge the Japanese from the Aleutians once and for all. Attu was chosen as the first objective, since reconnaissance seemed to show that is was less heavily fortified than Kiska. After Attu was taken, the plan was for troops from that island and Amchitka to jointly invade Kiska.
The unit chosen to make the landing for what was code-named 'Operation Sandcrab' was the Army's 7th Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Albert E. Brown. The 'Hourglass' Division had been reactivated at Fort Ord, Calif., in the summer of 1940 as a motorized infantry division. Following its reactivation, the unit had gone through extensive training in the Mojave Desert in preparation for service against the Italians and Germans in North Africa.
In January 1943, after the Allied landings in North Africa, military commanders determined that there was no longer a need for the 7th's services in that theater. The division then began amphibious training on the beaches around Fort Ord. Unfortunately, the comparatively mild climate found along the California coast did little to prepare the men for the dense fog and bone-chilling cold of Attu.
When the 11,000 men of the 7th were loaded onto transport vessels in late April 1943, many of the troops believed they were going to Hawaii. This seemed plausible, since most of the soldiers were wearing summer uniforms. The quartermaster general had intended that special winter clothing be issued to the troops participating in the invasion. But the order was rescinded because it was thought that the extra weight of winter uniforms might slow the men down. Although some soldiers were issued special equipment just before the landings, most 7th Division GIs reached Attu in inadequate clothing.
The convoy arrived at Cold Harbor, at the eastern end of the Aleutians, on April 30. Due to bad weather, the ships stayed in anchorage until May 4, then headed west. Since a gale was pounding Attu at that time, the assault was postponed until May 9, and the convoy took off for the Bering Sea to avoid enemy detection.
Japanese submarines operating around Cold Harbor, however, had seen the convoy and had relayed the intelligence to the garrisons on Kiska and Attu. The Attu garrison was put on alert on May 3, and for six days the men stayed in their battle positions. By May 9, it looked as if no invasion was coming, so the alert was called off. The next day, the U.S. convoy left the Bering Sea and arrived offshore of Attu, unaware of its good fortune.
The Japanese forces on Attu were commanded by Colonel Yasuyo Yamazaki, whose garrison consisted of the 303rd Independent Infantry Battalion, along with engineer, artillery, mountain artillery and service troops. The Japanese were well dug-in, and were supplied with fur-lined uniforms and boots, kerosene stoves and sake. Initial American estimates of enemy strength were set at about 500, although this was later increased to 1,500.
Preinvasion reconnaissance had shown that the Japanese were concentrated around Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor in the north and Massacre Bay in the south. Therefore, two landings were planned. The Northern Force, commanded by Lt. Col. Albert Hartl, consisted of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, and its attached artillery and auxiliary units. The Northern Force's objective was to secure Holtz Bay and a valley lying to the southwest.
The Southern Force was the larger of the two and was commanded by Colonel Edward Earle. The force comprised the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the 17th Infantry; the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry; and field artillery and auxiliary units. After landing at Massacre Bay, the Southern Force was to go up Massacre Valley, take Clevesy and Jarmin passes, hook up with the Northern Force at Holtz Bay and then destroy the enemy at Chichagof Harbor. The 1st and 3rd battalions, 32nd Infantry, along with some field artillery troops, were to stay on the transports as reserves.
Although the U.S. convoy included three battleships, destroyers and an escort carrier, to retain the element of surprise no preinvasion naval bombardment was ordered. Consequently, when the bulk of the Northern Force landed just west of Holtz Bay at 4:15 p.m. on May 11, the troops encountered no opposition. At 6:30 p.m. the force began moving toward its first objective, a series of small hill peaks collectively known as Hill X, located on the shelf west of Holtz Bay. The hill controlled the western arm of the bay. The first peak of the hill mass was only 800 yards to the south, there was still plenty of daylight left, and while it was foggy, the fog was very thin.
Yet soon after the Northern Force started moving, it came into contact with four Japanese soldiers who were manning a beach defense site. The force killed two, but the other two managed to escape to their main camp. Not much later, Japanese anti-aircraft batteries around Holtz Bay opened up on the beach. Having already moved inland, the Americans took no casualties, but the Northern Force's advance was halted. Approaching nightfall, coupled with the lack of proper maps, persuaded Colonel Hartl to halt his men and have them dig into the soft, wet Aleutian muskeg.
Down at Massacre Bay, intense coastal fog forced postponement of the Southern Force's landings from 7:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. When the landing craft finally came ashore, the weather had turned sunny and warm. Although the American landing was unopposed, the artillerymen found that moving their guns across the mucky muskeg was extremely difficult. Finally the gunners were forced to emplace their 105mm howitzers only 75 yards from the beach.
By 5:30 p.m., the Southern Force had begun its advance through Massacre Valley, a wide, gradually rising valley flanked by high ridges. The plan was to advance north for three miles, proceed through Clevesy and Jarmin passes, and join up with the Northern Force at Holtz Bay.
Although fog enshrouded the ridges around Massacre Valley, the valley floor was clear, and American troops advanced easily for about a mile. When the lead companies were well into the valley, however, Japanese soldiers hidden on the ridges opened fire with machine guns and mortars and rapidly mowed down GIs who tried to run for cover; other Americans twisted ankles in potholes in the muskeg and fell. As the advance bogged down, General Brown and his headquarters staff came ashore at Massacre Bay.
While the GIs received support from the 105mm guns back on the beach, naval bombardment was impossible because of the thick fog. With nightfall approaching, the two U.S. battalions tried to dig in around a small ridge that bisected the valley. Some soldiers, unable to find cover, lay down in the mud or crouched behind stream banks in the valley.
In the long daylight and short nights of spring in the Aleutians, evening on Attu began after 10 p.m. and ended just after 1 a.m. Although brief, the night was bitter for both the Northern and Southern forces. The Americans froze in their lightweight uniforms, while the Japanese, bundled in fur-lined coats, huddled around their kerosene stoves. Some of the GIs who had spent the night on the floor of Massacre Valley were later found frozen stiff, having burned the stocks of their rifles in a futile attempt to keep warm.
May 12 dawned with the Southern Force still under enemy fire. Supporting U.S. artillery on the beach shelled suspected enemy positions for 40 minutes, then the Americans attacked nearby Jarmin Pass in an attempt to link up with the Northern Force. Their advance ran into heavy fire, most of it coming from the nearby Black and Cold mountains to the north. Further bombardment by the U.S. Navy did little to displace the Japanese, who thwarted a second American assault. When Colonel Earle went forward to see what was holding up the men, the Southern Force commander was killed by a sniper.
With little progress being made, Brown brought in additional manpower. Even reinforced with the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry, the Southern Force spent four unsuccessful days trying to destroy the Japanese emplacements that surrounded Jarmin Pass. Artillery fire did little but leave craters in the snow, while three Navy fighters attempting to bomb Japanese positions crashed as a result of heavy winds. Movement was only a few yards per hour, with men holding on to the jackets or cartridge belts of the men to their front in order not to be separated. On the evening of the 14th, a frustrated Brown reported to higher headquarters that 'progress through passes will, unless we are extremely lucky, be slow and costly, and will require troops in excess to those now available to new command.'
Meanwhile, on the morning of May 12, the Northern Force suffered its first casualties. While moving south down the western arm of Holtz Bay, one company of Americans began to climb up a small hill in an effort to secure the nearby ridge. As the men entered a gully, they were fired upon by enemy troops who had occupied the ridge only the night before. For 12 hours the company was pinned down by Japanese machine guns, mortars and artillery. Two other companies, supported by artillery and close air support, vainly tried to eliminate the Japanese. It was not until 5 p.m., however, after a massive naval bombardment, that the Americans began to slowly advance, eventually taking the ridge and forcing the enemy down the far side. The Japanese quickly turned and counterattacked. As they advanced, their artillery fire fell indiscriminately on friend and foe alike. In a fierce battle that lasted only about 20 minutes, the Americans staved off the Japanese and took firm control of the ridge thereafter known as Bloody Point.
The next day, the Northern Force was reinforced by the 3rd Battalion, 32nd Infantry, and a battery of coast artillery. This addition was soon further augmented by the 4th Infantry Regiment, which had arrived from Adak Island. American commanders then resumed their attack to clear out a Japanese camp south of Holtz Bay.
When the Americans reached the camp on May 15, however, the enemy had already sneaked away in the fog and moved to a ridge that separated the western and eastern arms of the bay. As the GIs moved down the western arm, U.S. fighter pilots sent to strike the new Japanese positions mistook the advancing Americans for enemy soldiers and proceeded to bomb and strafe them. This tragic misidentification resulted in numerous casualties and delayed the advance for two hours.
Finally, an American rifle platoon managed to fight its way to the ridge's highest point. No sooner had GIs secured the position than they were attacked by about 45 Japanese, led by a saber-wielding officer. The Americans quickly cut down the attackers and completed their occupation of the ridge.
The Northern Force now overlooked Holtz Bay, and as soon as heavy weapons were brought up to Bloody Point, all Japanese positions on the rest of the ridge could be destroyed. Doing so would free the Southern Force, still pinned down in Massacre Valley, and allow it to link up with the Northern Force at Clevesy and Jarmin passes.
Despite this success, Brown's superiors had grown impatient with the 7th's slow progress and the general's continued call for additional reinforcements. On the 16th Brown was replaced by Maj. Gen. Eugene M. Landrum.
Realizing the predicament that his troops were now in, Colonel Yamazaki quietly withdrew them from Jarmin Pass early on the morning of May 17. He placed most of his soldiers at the Chichagof Harbor defenses, but he also reinforced some of his positions around Clevesy Pass, which was the principal route to the harbor. The next day the two American forces linked up at Jarmin Pass.
The west flank of Clevesy Pass, leading to mountain peaks overlooking Chichagof Bay, was dominated by Cold Mountain. The east flank, which led to the Sarana Valley, was overlooked by Engineer Hill and an escarpment named Point Able. All these positions were occupied by the Japanese, and the Americans spent the next four days trying to take them.
The first attacks against Point Able and Cold Mountain, led by the 32nd and 17th infantries, respectively, were stopped by enemy machine guns. The second assault on Cold Mountain was preceded by heavy artillery fire. The Americans swiftly wiped out a series of Japanese positions along the lower edges of the mountain, but were soon stopped by heavy Japanese fire.In the meantime, a company of the 17th Infantry had managed to secure a high point within Clevesy Pass, thanks in part to a smoke screen laid down before the assault. Thinking it was poison gas, the Japanese either donned masks or fled from their positions. Those who remained did not begin returning fire until the Americans had occupied that section of the pass.
From their newly won position, two platoons of Americans were able to seize the closest enemy position on Engineer Hill. While Japanese soldiers farther up the hill fired down on the two platoons, U.S. artillery pounded the enemy positions, spraying shell fragments over the heads of American soldiers, but also blowing the Japanese out of their trenches. Despite continued artillery support, the Americans came under increasing enemy fire and were unable to move farther up Cold Mountain.
By the afternoon of May 19, companies from the 17th and 32nd regiments had begun a slow ascent up the snowy slope of Cold Mountain. Despite heavy fire from above, the Americans gradually moved up the slope that faced Massacre Valley. The Japanese attempted to stay in their holes, but the GIs ousted them using grenades and bayonets. American attempts to reach the north side of the mountain, however, were held up until high explosives and smoke rounds were fired into the enemy positions. Again mistaking the smoke for gas, the Japanese were either killed while putting on their masks or simply fled toward Chichagof Harbor.
Just before the peak of Cold Mountain was finally taken on the morning of May 20, the Americans on Engineer Hill were able to directly assault the northern slopes. The last obstacle, Point Able, was slowly climbed by companies of the 32nd Infantry just after Engineer Hill was taken. The snow was thick, the cold bitter and the night so bright that soldiers silhouetted against the whiteness could be seen for 200 yards.
As the Americans reached the lower positions of the enemy strongpoint, the Japanese lobbed grenades down the hill, their explosions mingling with the flat crack of small arms. The Americans found cover among some rock outcroppings while a Japanese officer yelled insults at them in English. Following a few moments of chaos, more GIs reached the strongpoint and destroyed it. After a mortar section chief directed fire at the crest of the peak, the Americans secured Point Able on the morning of May 22. The last Japanese defender, after killing two Americans, hurled himself off the peak, screaming.While the final assaults on Cold Mountain and Point Able were being made, the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry, along with the 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry, cleared the ridges surrounding the entrance of Chichagof Valley.
Also on May 22, the Americans began pushing the Japanese closer to Chichagof Harbor. The two ridges leading to the harbor, Fish Hook and Buffalo, contained numerous Japanese defensive positions, most of which had to be cleared out by machine guns and grenades. American advances were slow, supplies often ran low and casualties from gunfire and weather were high.Often the leadership of individual enlisted men helped push U.S. troops ahead. Such a leader was a Pfc Barnett of the 4th Infantry. While the rest of his outfit struggled slowly down a muddy hill studded with Japanese, Barnett managed to slide and walk down the hill, lobbing grenades and firing into a nearby trench system. His company began to follow him, but by the time the rest of the men had caught up, Barnett had killed all 47 enemy soldiers who had held the position.
It was also on Fish Hook Ridge that Pfc Joe P. Martinez made his mark. The 32nd Infantry Regiment GI saw his battalion pinned down twice by the Japanese on May 26, and twice he got to his feet and took action. Cradling his BAR, Martinez advanced through a hail of enemy fire and coolly emptied his weapon into Japanese foxholes, reloading as he went. The men of his company followed Martinez as he led two assaults. It was only as he approached one final foxhole after the second assault that Martinez was shot in the head, dying of the wound the following day. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery.
By May 28, the Japanese had been pushed back into a small corner of Chichagof Harbor. The 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry, along with one company of the 32nd, was positioned close enough to the Japanese to thwart any attempted withdrawal. Other U.S. units secured various valleys and passes, although Chichagof Valley itself was thinly occupied.
On the 28th, all American commanders were notified of a pending attack against the enemy to begin no later than 5 a.m. the next day. All able-bodied men were ordered to leave the aid stations and on-ship hospitals and return to their outfits for what was meant to be the final American push. The fate of the Japanese seemed sealed.
Colonel Yamazaki, however, had plans of his own. Rather than withdraw into a nearby harbor that provided better defenses but could not easily be reached by supply ships, he decided to counterattack. From Chichagof Harbor, he would have his remaining men, who numbered about 1,000, sweep down through lightly defended Chichagof Valley. His soldiers would then go on to reoccupy Point Able and Clevesy Pass, then take over the artillery in Massacre Valley. If the attack succeeded, the Japanese could then hold down the GIs in the valley, cut off the main American supply line and wait for help from the Kuriles.
On the evening of May 28, a small American patrol from the 17th Infantry penetrated Japanese lines, seeking any information that might help the impending U.S. attack. When the patrol got about 500 yards into enemy territory, the GIs could hardly believe what they saw–groups of frenzied Japanese jumping up and down, yelling at the top of their lungs and guzzling bottles of sake. They were dispatching their own wounded, either through morphine injections or self-inflicted pistol shots.
When the patrol returned to American lines, its members could not recall the password and almost were shot by their own troops. Then one man started yelling, 'Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees, Joe DiMaggio,' and the patrol was allowed to pass through.
The leader of the patrol, Tech. 5 Lee J. Bartoletti, reported what he had seen. His lieutenant shrugged off the information, but Bartoletti began to crawl from foxhole to foxhole, warning the men in his company that a Japanese attack was coming. Bartoletti's was the only warning the GIs would receive before coming under one of the largest Japanese banzai charges of the war.
At about 3:30 a.m., a thousand screaming Japanese soldiers came running through the bivouac area of the 32nd Infantry. They carried rifles, grenades, even bayonets attached to sticks. The Americans, who had been ordered a few minutes earlier to leave their positions and have a hot meal at a regimental kitchen, were caught totally off guard. Some found cover on high ground, but many were overrun by the enemy. Much of the ensuing combat was hand to hand, and gunfire and screams rang throughout the valley. But the darkness kept the rest of the American troops unaware of what was happening.
After the main Japanese assault began, diversionary forces attacked the 17th Infantry in Chichagof Valley. Screaming 'We'll drink your blood,' the Japanese butchered any GIs they could get their hands on. The main body of Japanese then stormed into the lower valley, where an American aid station was set up. They swept through the station, slashing the tent ropes and killing the wounded, who were trapped in their sleeping bags by the fallen canvas.
When they had finished destroying the aid station, the main Japanese force headed down toward Clevesy Pass, occupied mostly by engineer, medical and artillery troops. The only warning these troops had came from retreating GIs shouting, 'The Japs are coming!'
Several groups of screaming Japanese, led by Yamazaki himself, hurled themselves at a detachment of artillerymen. With small arms and two heavy machine guns, the Americans fought them off, killing many. The engineer companies also managed to mount a hasty defense, while the cooks and bulldozer drivers grabbed a few automatic weapons from retreating infantrymen and proceeded to further decimate the enemy.
As Japanese numbers dwindled, they became disorganized and began to run off in different directions. They also stopped killing Americans and began killing themselves with grenades.
When the fighting was over, Chichagof and Sarana valleys looked like dug-up graveyards, with dead Americans and Japanese littered everywhere. Some wounded GIs could still be heard calling out to their mothers, or to God. The ghastly sight caused a chaplain of the 7th to exclaim, 'I am glad they're [the Japanese] dead, really glad….How can I go back to my church when I've got it in me to be glad men are dead?'
Although the last big battle was over, American patrols continued to search out and destroy isolated pockets of resistance. Most of the last Japanese defenders fought to the death, as Americans made no attempts to take prisoners. But one Japanese soldier clearly realized that neither continuing to fight nor taking his own life was worth the effort. Bundling himself up in the same Japanese uniform that some GIs were now wearing to keep warm, he managed to get into an American chow line. He might have actually gotten a hot meal had he not turned around and asked the man behind him how the Brooklyn Dodgers were doing. At least he left the island as a prisoner, instead of remaining as a corpse.
By the evening of May 31, the island was fully in American hands, but at a terrible price for both sides. Out of the Japanese defenders, 2,351 were killed and only 29 were taken prisoner. The American figures were 549 killed, 1,148 wounded and about 2,100 listed as casualties from exposure, trench foot and shock.
The subsequent campaign to retake Kiska, which was to involve 34,000 U.S. and Canadian troops, never got past the landings. Unknown to the Americans, the Japanese had come to realize the uselessness of defending such remote positions of minor importance in the overall struggle. When the first Allied units reached the beaches on August 15, 1943, they discovered that the island was defended by four dogs and the corpse of a Japanese soldier. Just three weeks earlier, the 5,000-man garrison occupying the island had been loaded onto transports and had headed back to Japan.
This article was written by Lee F. Bartoletti and originally appeared in the November 2003 issue of World War II. For more great articles subscribe to World War II magazine today!
Subscribe Today
Loading ...
My father, Lester Hildebrand, fought in this battle at Attu,as part of the 32nd Infantry. He seldom talked about this, but these were his thoughts. He said the soldiers thought they were headed for the Pacific, and nearly froze to death because they did not have coats or boots. He said they "found" Japanese clothing and that is the reason they survived. He said at every hill they came to they risked their lives. Their commanders said to just make a run for it when they felt lucky! He told me that he learned that men's beards grew after they died. He said they would bury men clean shaven, and when they returned to pick them up, they had beards. Dad said that he and many other soldiers were trapped in an area surrounded by rocks. Bullets were ricochetting off of the rock and hitting all of the soldiers. He said he knelt down and wondered why they were all injured and he wasn't. He said it made him believe God was watching over him. One of his buddies was shot and begged him to take him with him. Dad said the man was a large man, and there was no way he could carry the man and run from the gunfire. That always bothered him. He hated the Japanese his entire life. He couldn’t believe how they would never surrender. The American solders were forced to kill them.
And know now too, Sheri that our government allowed the Japanese government to place one of their memorials atop Engineer Hill.
The greatest insult this memorial represents is that in all reality it could very well sit on the very ground where one or more of our boys were killed in action on 29 May 1943. Veterans always consider the very spot where a man is killed to be sacred "Hallowed Ground" to never be decimated in any way. This memorial is insulting and totally inappropriate in its location. I've tried and a veteran of Attu, Bill Jones had tried for many years to have the memorial removed from this location but the Dept of the Interior refuses to redress our grievance. This memorial where it now stands constitutes a National Disgrace of the highest order!
My grandfather fought in the aleutian islands and told me about it when I was younger. He said he saw a japanese soldier on a mountain about a mile or two away and raised his rifle and took a shot at him and got him. He also told about how cold the weather was and how hard it was to get around. I don't know much else about this battle, but would like to find out all that I can. Sad to say but we are probably going to lose grandaddy in the next day or two.
Sounds like eh was pulling your leg, average rifle wasn't lethal at a mile – much less two! "When world war 2 begun, most soldiers were equipped with bolt-action rifles. A 19th century technology, these rifles were powerful and very accurate weapons, effective to a long range of over half a mile"
My father William G Lamb served in the Aleutian Islands from 1942-1945. He never talked about his years of service there, but I have a picture of him squatting down with the army hut behind hom that looks like a half a huge can and the snow was half way up the side of it. I also have a picture of him sitting on a seat of a big long barreled gun (?I think it's a howitzer?) with another soldier on the left side of it pointing down the barrel of the gun & my dad and another soldier standng on
the right side of the gun as if they were looking down the barrel of the gun at where the man on the left was pointing to. If my dad tlked of the war, I don't remember it. But from the stories I've read, the cold and treacherous traveling on the ice with all the equipment and guns was very hard and dangerous for our servicement who were a long was from home in a very cold and treacherous part of the war.
My father Raybon Kindrick was also there in the 31st field artillery which I
think was assigned with the 7th division. From there they went to
Hawaii, Kwajelein the solomon is and phillippines. I do not think any of
it was good times.
My high school friend , in the marines, was killed on Attu. Ghis account
mentions no U.S. marines.?
Dear Richards,
If you should come back to this web site sometime, the Battle for Attu, 11-29 May 1943 was an army operation only.
Your friend, our hero, lost his life (for our freedoms) on some other Pacific Island. God Bless Him and all those who fought for us in WWII.
I have just come across a bunch of photo's from my fathers things. All from the Aleutian Islands from WW2 where he was stationed. He was a t/4 Battery D 210th Calvary campaign GO #33. Wondering if you might make some sense of this for me. I've looked everywhere and it appears you have some knowledge of these things. Thank you…Marcus Clarke
Mr. Clark,
Would you be willing to share your photographs? My dad, Jewell Gilliam, was also in the Calvary but he would never talk about the battle and he passed away in 2008. I would give anything to see what it was like through the lens of somebody who was there.
Please email any pictures or information to:kimbyars@charter.net.
Kind Regards
Kim Byars
Richard-
Go to this page and there is a list of all the KIA on Attu.
http://www.hlswilliwaw.com/aleutians/Attu/html/attu-kia.htm
Hope you find what you are looking for.
There were for sure Marines at Dutch Harbor on June 3.
Sounds like they were there as a detachment of the Marine Defense Force
4 officers, 126 enlisted.
Robert p. McAmiss, my grandfather was 19 years old when he was sent from Fort Ord Ca. to fight at Atu.
After taking the beach, his unit engaged the Japanese who had dug trenches and tunnels.
US gun boats shelled the Japanese positions but missed. My grandfather was one of only two survivors who were hit by this US friendly fire.
After being critical injured he was injected with morphine and left to die. He finally received the Purple heart 30 years later. He had pieces of shrapnel in his body until his death.
He used to talk about this all the time. Looking back, I understand now that he felt a deep sense of betrayal on the part of his commanders. I wish I had listened to him more when he was still around.
My husband was on the landing of Massacre Bay on Attu on D-Day 1942. He landed with the 17th Inf Battalion and he was in the 7th inf Division. We have been reading your articles.
I want to visit Attu with my husband and some of the other landings he participated in the South Pacific. He keeps telling me there would not be any place near Attu where we would find lodging.
He will be 93 in July of this year and in excellent health. We want to travel back into time if possible.
Are there any books that relate only to Attu that can be purchased?
He made the initial D-Day landings at Kwajalein, Leyte and Okinawa. We want to start our trip in Attu and work our way down.
Is there any information you could give us as to our plans?
Thank you for your cooperation.
Frances N. Casey
Dear Frances,
If you have not made a visit to Attu at this point, please know that the USCG LORAN STATION closed down in July 2010. They could have provided limited accomodations for you.
Now, you must contact the U.S.FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (U.S.Dept of the Interior) IN ANCHORAGE FOR VISIT INFORMATION.
I am currently writing a book only about Attu and I hope to have it completed by the end of 2011. Its title is "The 7th of June". Please be on the look out for it. I only pray to God that I do right for all the heroes of Attu.
Jack,
My Father, Ray Nielsen landed at Massacre Bay; he was a platoon sergeant in F Company, 17th Infantry, 3rd Batallion. I have many pictures of Attu, and of San Fran Bay as they were leaving to make the trip up there. I also have a picture of Col. Earle addressing the troops onboard ship just days before the landings and ironically, just before he himself was killed. I would be glad to send them to you. Let me know.
Ed
Dear Ed,
You have no idea how much those pictures would mean to me! My email is kimbyars@charter.net. I can't wait!
Thank you so much Sir for being so very kind and thoughtful
Kim Byars
Hey Jack,
I was wondering how your book is going. I just found out my Grandfather was in the Sea Bee's which set up logistics…I may be writing a feature film regarding these topics-perhaps we could talk more….
All the best,
Nicholas-
Dear Ed,
As you can see there is not a "reply" click-on to your comment. I hope this reply to my reply works.
I'd be very much interested in seeing your father's pictures.
Email me at norjack07@yahoo.com and let's talk further.
Thanks
My husband's father was also a Marine stationed in the Aleutians during WWII. Does anyone know where we could find more information regarding the part the Marines played in this area?
Mrs. Casey, It's very hard to get to Attu, getting to Kwajalein,Leyte and Okinawa would be alot easier. I have some books about the 17th Regiment 7th Division that i have copied and i would be more than happy to share them with you. My father was in Co B 1st Battalion 17th Regiment, he fought on Attu,Kiska,Kwajalein,Leyte and Okinawa. if you are interested in what i have please do get abck with me at josie56@sbcglobal.net
James LaVerdure
Michigan
My dad fought in Attu. He was part of the scout team that came in first. He got frostbite on his feet. I think he told me that this occurred when he was pinned down by machine gun fire.
What mecial units served in Aleutian Islands during WWII? My father was a Captain the Medical Corps in the Aleutian islands.
Dear Sir's
My Father Doran S Long Sr. was deployed from one of the two subs off the coast of Attu. He was wounded and had a close friend in his unit named Tony Gayardo. If any one has any info on their actions on Attu, It ould be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Doran R. Long Jr.
Doran,
Greetings from Galveston, Texas.
I just read your entry today, May 16, 2011. I've been researching information for the U.S. Army 59th Medical Battalion in Attu. My uncle Antonio M. (Tony) Gallardo served with Company A, 59th Medical Battalion as a cook, and I was wondering if by Gayardo you meant Gallardo (same pronounciation). My uncle attended high school in San Antonio and joined the Army from Fort Sam Houston in 1943 until 1945 and served in the Aleutian Islands, New Guinea, Southern Philippines.
I would like to know what Army Division shoulder patch and the 59th Medical Battalion patch they wear on their uniform?
Look forward to hearing from you. I hope your dad is well.
Respectfully,
Gilbert D. Gallardo, Vietnam Veteran
We might be able to help each other out with info. My granddad Dee L Abbott from Bakersfield Ca served in Attu as a doc then was also sent to New Guinea ATC 818 17th navy base hospital, I have letters dated Sept 1 44, Jan 45, and april 24, 45 from there. He was then island hopping according to his letters July 29 1945, letter says Navy 12 (might be 17) which would be postal codes for Okinawa or 17 being Palau, Pelelui, Guam & Leyte. Also have a V mail june 30 1945 saying he was at sea with Navy 12 code which is thru Okinawa. When the war ended he was at Navy base, Navy 1156 which is coded to Eniwetok. I know he landed on Leyte in the Phillipines & I still have the M1 carbine he sent home from there & there was a story about liberating a POW camp in the south pacific & he had the lock off the front gate. If any of this fits in with your info please let me know.
WW11 records were destroyed in a fire in ST Louis, MO. My father in law enlisted in the Army in 1941. He was on Attu and other of the Aleutians. He arrived in there in Aug 1942. this is what information on his DD214 containes.
Mayo W. Campbell, Private First Class, 1072d Army Air Force Base unit Squadron A., Auto Equipment Operator 345. Rifle Marksman Carbine Expert. , Aleutian Island, GO 75 WD 44.
All we know is that he was attached to the SEAB's, he helped build air strips and fought in the battles.
We cannot find out what army unit he was in . Can anyone help. Any leads would be appreciated.
Thank you.
My grandfather Estel W Scott (know also as Bill Scott) fought in the battle of Attu. He received a silver star and purple heart. He was killed in action on May 20th 1943 there on Attu and is buried at Holtz bay. I would love if anyone may have any knowledge of him. He was from Dresden Tenn. and an American hero.
Dear Bill,
Should you ever come back to this web site, know that I am trying to get an appropriate American Memorial placed on Attu.
Rest assured that your grandfather's name will be on it.
Jack Jonas norjack07@yahoo.com
Mr. Jonas,
Thank you for taking the time to mention this.
Many thoughts and appreciation for an American Memorial.
I think of my grandfather often and wish I could have known him. One day I hope too … In a hope of heaven and he and I meeting.
Bill
My grandfather, Eugene Telgmann, was a part of the 18th Engineers Battalion stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He said it was so cold that he never warmed up in 4 years. How true that was, he would always wear a long sleeve shirt and sweater in the middle of summer.
He recently passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2010.
I am interested in finding (purchasing) a Japanese postcards and/or letters picked up on Attu or Kiska by American soldiers. Thanks ,
Wheels up.SCJ
Stan Jersey
Author, Hell's Islands: The Untold Story of Guadalcanal
I can be reached at::Cactus709@aol.com
My current project is a new book that I have named" Hell's Cold Corner, The Japanese Occupation of Atty and Kiska, World War II, and be interested in hearing from any veteraans who fought there.
Dear Mr. Jersey,
Just came across your inquirey searching out veterans of the Aleutian Island campaiqn. My dad (Howard V. Blevins) was stationed there. He inlisted in the army in Scott co. Tenn. in Dec. 1941, he is a very healthy 91 years old and now lives in Ohio. If you are still interested in finding more info on the subject, I think you would find his recollection of his time there interesting, accurate and honest. You can reach me by e-mail or phone (513-608-6762), Thank you, Joe Blevins.
Stan's email address : Cactus709@aol.com
My great uncle Albert V. Hartl was the commander of the northern invasion force at Attu. After the war he became the CEO of Otter Tail Power Company in Minn. and was active in the Boy Scouts of America and on several university boards. He is mentioned in several books about Attu. I had a few communications with him and his daughter. He passed away several years ago and will be remembered as an American Hero.
Robert, have a newpaper article on your great uncle and can email if you would like a copy.
[...] [...]
[...] [...]
My granfather served on the island of Attu. I have pictures of his battalion, he was in the Navy. I also have pictures of the island, navy planes and mountains of dead japenese..He has a hole scrapbook of pictures. They are life magazine material..
Hi Michelle,
I had a relative in the Navy who also served there. I'd love to talk to you about the pictures. Could you please email me? I'd much appreciate it. Thank you.
Hi Catherine,
I would love to chat with you about the pictures. They are amazing..
Michelle
Dear Michelle,
I'm currently writing and researching material for my book on the Battle of Attu.
And good pictures are hard to come by.
Would you email me at norjack07@yahoo.com so we could chat more about the pictures you have?
My father, Jewell Gilliam, was in this battle. He was a member of the initial landing force under Gen Albert Brown. Is there anyone out there who may have known him? He would never talk about it and has since passed away. Anyone who trained in the Desert Training facility or came from Camp Ord please share any stories you might have. My dad was from Kentucky and I believe his nick name was "Gill."
Thank you very much-
Kim Gilliam Byars
My dad was there as well – he was with the 7th Inf Div and spoke of desert training prior to going to Attu and Kiska. They had no idea where they were going at the time and certainly did not expect to see combat in the Alaskan chain. He was also with a scoput team and said they saw very tall Japanese soliders – that turned out to be from Mongolia on Kiska. Fortunately, the Japanese withdrew prior to the US landing on the island.
Chuck,
Was your Dad with an outfit called "Castner's Cutthroats"?
Email me at norjack07@yahoo.com and let's talk a bit more.
My grandfather, Joseph A. Lesko, served on Attu. Unfortunately I know nothing about his personal experience there. I know only what the history books have recorded.
My grandfather served on Attu. The comments here are amazing because they all ring true and mirror my own experiences with a man who fought there and made it out. I have formed a page called "Remembering Attu" for any facebook users who may be interested in sharing comments or pictures. Please check it out.
My grandfather served in the Aleutian Islands as part of the Army Air Corps, in the medical service section. I have a copy of him in uniform, but only the AAC patch, not a unit patch. Does anyone have any idea how to find out the unit? His name was Charles M. Hawk. I would love to find his name on a unit roster so I can try to reconstruct his military history as getting a DD214 isnt possible out of ST. Louis. Thanks for any response.
My uncle Bill Jones fought and survived on this island. He passed away recently after overcoming so many horrible tragic things. There is a documentary about this called Red, White, Black and Blue. He is in it. God bless all of our Troops!
Laura,
I just came back to this web site today.
As you know, Bill fought for 8 long years to try and have the Japanese memorial removed from the island.
I linked up with Bill in January 2008 and have continued his fight. Over the years I've had to relent knowing now to have it removed completely is filled with so many political ramifications. However, I am still fighting to have it, at least, removed from Engineer Hill.
I'd love to hear from you.I talked to your Aunt Nancy a few weeks back and she seems to be doing okay (bless her soul).
Regards,
Jack Jonas norjack07@yahoo.com
My Dad was on board the Williamson when Dutch Harbor was attached. I am going to do a series of interviews of the survivors of the Alaskan campaign. If any of your surviving relatives are interested in being interviewed I can be reached at ecowheelie@yahoo.com.
I served aboard the USS Tillamook ATA 192 from Jan. 1st, 1951 to June 30th, 1953. It seemed at the time that we were tied-up for more months at Attu than even Adak. I had to bake bread at the small Navy Base on the hill every third day because they had a mixer. Somewhere I read more about the battle for Attu than I am able to get from these above reports. The one piece for which I know I read was the fact that 500 of the Japanes committed Hari-kari to avoid embarrassement at being captured. Do anybody know where I might find this particular piece of information. Jack Marcum
My precious Daddy, the best human being I have ever met, passed away June 21, 2010 at 8:40 p.m. His name is Allen P. James. I was sitting right beside him when he left. He often spoke of Kiska and Attu, having served as a medic on one of these islands. We have pictures of he and his comrades bundled up in front of the tents. Daddy never spoke of the experience in a negative way. He talked about the freezing cold and the blowing winds. He spoke of the brotherhood among the men. He said ropes were tied from tent to tent for the soldiers to hold on to when making their way to the tent that was used as a bathroom. Without the ropes, one could be blown off course when going to "do your business." I remember him talking about being on the ship in the Bering Sea and a great many of the soldier boys were seasick.
My cousin Douglas Henderson was a naval pilot who died during one of these battles, I can't remember which one. My brother was in the army and I will never forget the night we received the telegram that Douglas had been killed. He trained at Pensacola and was stationed in Corpus Christi, TX, before going to the Pacific. His baby daughter was 6 months old and he saw her only once. His widow brought his body back to US soil and he is buried in California.
Hello to Mary Mathias,
Your story made my heart sink. My entry is right above yours. I am so sorry about the tragic loss of your cousin, Douglas, and that he only got to see his baby daughter once. I must ask, in spite of her rough beginning, how has life been for the baby daughter? What and how is she doing? Did her mother remarry?
Ms. Mathias,
I have an article written about this entire operation from the Navy side and it mentions your cousin in the article. If you would like to write me I will be glad to email it to you. My email address is pa32260@aol.com
Thanks, Rock Coleman
Dear Mary,
If you come back to this web site in the future I just wanted you to know that they named a ridge on Attu after your cousin. There are pictures in the back of the book "The Capture of Attu" which shows a picture of Henderson Ridge and stated he was killed while strafing this area during severe bad weather.
He saw a job and commenced to go about it the best he could under the worse of conditions (heavy fog). He wanted to protect our boys on the ground and his heroism cost him his life.
Men of valor – heroes all!
I noticed that nearly 10% of the KIA on Attu were from Minnesota. My dad was activated with his Unit ,the 216th Coast Artillery out of St. Paul in late Jan. 1941 and sent to Camp Haan ,CA,near Riverside. After 12/7/41 he, as a !st Sergeant, was sent to OCS and the rest of his outfit ,being somewhat militarily trained was sent off to action, mostly in the Pacific Theater. He said they really suffered due to lack of up-to-date training, equipment and leadership. I am curious if any of the families of those Minnesotans know if they happened to be in that outfit, and if any of your readers have family members who were also in that Guard outfit? Thank you, Ken Lacey
Kendall-
My father was a mess sergeant thru the Aleutian campaign starting at Dutch Harbor on June 2, 42. He was from north central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. He enlisted in Wisconsin, and did his basic in Texas, his AIT in Cal. Then he was transferred to the kitchens. My mother used to tell us that he came back with a southern accent as a lot of the GI's that were sent there were from the deep south.
He had some very interesting stories. He died about 2 years ago, but a decade before he died he said that he had run into a soldier that he used to use in the kitchens now and then, living in North Branch.
My father and an uncle were from Red Wing, Minnesota. Their National Guard unit was reconfigured from an infantry company into Battery F of the 216th Coast Artillery (Anti Aircraft), federalized and sent for one year of training and service beginning in January, 1941 at Camp Haan. I have my fathers Camp Haan "year book" and find a First Sgt. E.O. Lacey included in the picture of the Regimental Headquarters Battery. The 216th Coast Artillery was made-up completely of Minnesota National Guard units. As far as I know, the entire unit was deployed to Adak Island in September of 1942, after being sent to Camp Swift in Texas in anticipation of being sent to North Africa. So, they were not outfitted with arctic clothing or footwear. I believe that many of the infantry units involved in the invasions of Amchitka, Attu and Kiska were also formerly Minnesota Guard units. One of the persons featured in a 60th anniversary television series a few years back had begun his service with a Blue Earth, Minnesota infantry unit. He participated in the Attu invasion.
Could my fathers name possibly be in that book? Kenneth W. Heim. He would have signed up out of Minnesota, also. He passed in 1970.
My father, Jack D. Faulk was at Attu. He never talked much about the details of the actual fighting but he was bitter to the day he died about being sent there dressed for the summer.
Dear S.D.,
The worst sin committed by Army High Command was sending our boys to Attu so ill-equipped! After it was over nearly 2,100 of them were weather causalities. Frostbitten hands and trench foot so darn bad hands and feet turned black! Some of the worst called for amputation as nothing more could be done.
I'll never figure out why they just couldn't have waited just two more months (July) when summer weather prevailed. I think the biggest mistake was made when the Brass was convinced by Gen DeWitt that it was only going to take 3 days to re-capture Attu.
Your Pa, like so many others, came home and never talked about it. Sad, huh.
I have a question for anyone that may be able to help. My Grandfather's brother: Ashby, Ben O. was killed in action on 12 May 1943 on Attu. I believe that he was Assigned to the 7th Infantry Division's 17th Infantry Regiment, and went ashore withe very small reconnaisance element at the Base of Gilbert Ridge and after he was killed in action, my uncle, whom was trained as an Infantry Mortarman was buried at the Little Falls Cemetary there before being re-interned at the Pixley-Tulare Cemetery in California. I seek any information that may be relevent, and did either the 7th Infantry Division or 17th Infantry Regiment create any list of KIAs for this action?
Very resespectfully,
Wayne P. Ashby
Sergeant First Class, United States Army
Retired
wayne.ashby@us.army.mil
Dear Wayne,
If you come back to this site, I have a list of the "Honored Dead" I can email to you.
Note: He was listed with the first as "Ban" and not "Ben". I have now corrected this.
Jack Jonas norjack07@yahoo.com
My Father was on the Islands, Sgt Ellsworth Gilardin. He was wia the second month, was transported to a hospital in Memphis, if anyone knows more info would like to hear from you. My Dad was with the recon Platoon, He was a platoon Sgt.
Thank you
Vic Gilardin
Son of Ellsworth Gilardin
I'm retired U.S. Army SSG
landed from USSgrant 11may 1943 stormy as hell. ilanded with a jeep and trailer load with 105 shelles.excuse the mistakes as i am 93 years old.still very sharp in mind. left island march 6 th 1944.my unit was 1d hosp4 th fiel..will be waiting for emails ok?
Emil-Please send me an email as I can't seem to find one for you.
gary lee yes i was in the battle of attu all the way start to finish. i wasin 14th field hosp.i dont talk about it much.dream too much at night.sure was hell there. my emailis pdpeterson29@yahoo.com pete…. i lve in faribauldt minn.
2
Emil – You dear sweet gentleman!
I'm going to test your brain power. Tell me the names of the other four troop transports that carried our boys to Attu. I'll bet you can do it.
I had a friend whose life was saved at Engineer Hill on 29 May 1943 by men just like you. He was wounded twice and pretty helpless when the Japanese stormed over Engineer Hill that day. Only through the quick thinking of the Aid Station Doctors and medics was his life and the lives of the other wounded saved from further harm and certain death.
My hats off to you Emil. You are a man of valor of the highest order! May God Bless you and keep you!
Hello Emil,
My Grandfather was a Sea Bee-I believe you all worked together….Maurice Caya is his name-not sure if you knew him
nicholas no i did not know your grand father sorry i was so busy to keep from frezing and helping others that were wounded and ect,,,,pete,
My father, David W. Tefft and my uncle Reuben F. Koester were staff sergeants in Battery F, 216th Coast Artillery Anti Aircraft stationed on Adak Island for 18 months beginning in September 1942. I have a diary that my father kept from January 1943 through June that year. The lousy weather conditions and lack of proper footwear and clothing were often mentioned, as were frequent air raids and enemy ship and submarine action in the area. My father was in charge of the mess for the battery, so many entries speak of concern over food supplies and the struggle with failure-prone field ovens. Their living quarters were tents; they finally got a Quanset hut for their kitchen on January 13th, but it took a month before it could be assembled and ready due to the high winds.
My father, Gilmer Gray Joyce, who passed away in 1960 was in the Aleutians and I believe, the battle of Attu. He was in the infantry , company H37 and was a staff sergeant. Anyone with any knowledge please respond. I am looking forward to the book, June 7th. Thank you
Also, Gilmer was from Madison NC and served from about 1940-44. Not sure when he was in the Aleutians. The only thing my mom remembers is that he told her always, how very cold it was. I do have some pictures from there.
My great uncle fought in this war hes on the kia list just wanted to clear it up its row gadbois not dow….
Dear Brian,
The official Army KIA list that I have, reflected: Gadbois, Doy – St. Spencer, Ma
It has now been changed to read: Row
I will contact George Smith who's web site also contains the Attu KIA list and request he correct his record also.
If I hear nothing from you I will assume "Row" to be correct.
Jack Jonas at norjack07@yahoo.com
and i would like to find out more about this battle i dont know what company he was under or what he did … but if anything could help me and my family figure it out would be great we have some things about him but not much……..
ui emil peterson was on ATTU from the 11 th may 1943 until march 6th 1944.i was in the entire battle and it was hell.i dont talk about it as it was so gross at times.i am 93 years old still have my rite mind i am very lucky so far.i have a 1 bedroom app.in assisted living place. with dreams at times.my email is pdpeterson29@yahoo.com i live at fairabault mn 55021. pete/.
WE ALL WANT TO WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MANY MORE TO COME!
You sir represent America's "Finest Generation" and we hold dear in our hearts for all that you sacrificed during WWII.
Jack
Thank you for keeping this going. I just found this site in my research as I work to interview, record, and then write the stories of veterans in our area here in Big Rapids, Michigan. I often have to do research in order to piece together the memories of the veterans
of various wars. .
I am currently working with my 5th vet….as a volunteer who writes their stories up as articles for our local newspaper, the Pioneer. The current Vet is a wonderful, 83 year old WWII Vet named Milt Rackham….who survived 4 years of service on PT Boat 81….first in the Aleutians and then in the Pacific.
I have really gotten caught up in all of this…as the only way I can think of to express my appreciation to these guys for what they did. Milt is stll active in his at-home upholstery business. As a sample of what we come up with, our discussion of his current situation ended up being written as….
"Some of my WWII scars have healed, while others still
set off airport metal detectors when I travel….or wake in the
quiet of the night".
And the Stories unford from there….
Milt's goal is to resolve the night time dreams that still
wake him in the nite. He is one of only three survivors of his 12 boat Squadron out of a total of close to 300 original and replacement
PT crewman during his 4 year PT Boat Career.
These stories have turned out to be an emotional experience for
both Milt and myself….for him as he tells them….and for me both as
he tells them and as I work to sort through the recordings and notes
to type the stories for his review and approval. I can hardly imagine
what they went through and what they sacrificed to save this
country……and then live in a time when there are those that would
throw it all away in the name of political idiocy.
I would appreciate any pictures that may be available from
the War Time Aleutians….or from South Pacific.
Is there any info on other PT Boat Vets in the Aleutians.? It
looks like Milt may end up with 20 articles of 1200 or more
words and I would like to surprise him with some pictures.
He recalls that the weather (the Willowaws) were so bad that
his PT Boat Squadron was able to be a part of only one battle
(the Battle of Attu) during his time in the Aleutians…where his
sqaudron was used to attract enemy fire from shore so that
The Minnesota and one other ship could use the enemy fire
flashes as targets to "soften" up the beachhead area.
He, like many of your other responders, remembers the agony
of poorly dressed, poorly equiped U.S. troops….some of whom
were found frozen in front of. dead campfires where they had
tried to burn the butts of their rifles in an unsuccessful effort to
survive the cold nite. He also speaks of ropes tied between
a quonset barracks and the mess hall and the latrines….to keep
from getting lost in willowaw winds of hurricane force with first
blowing snow, then ice, and then dirt that reduced visibility to
the length of your arm……and of the one crewman who refused
to use the ropes and was found two days later….frozen within
just yards of the barracks.
My Email is ……
midmichigan.grassroots@yahoo.com
Thanks again, Jack, for your service….and for this site.
Myrl Thompson
I am writing to find out if there is a good list of those that served in Alaska during WW11. My father, Kenneth Heim served, but his records were destroyed in a fire. I have no other records from his service. He was in Alaska during the first part of the war, and then later in Germany. He was killed at work, in an accident, on the North Slope of Alaska, in 1970, bringing oil to Alaska. He is truly a hero, 2 times over. Our family wants to know more about his service, but the government says the records were destroyed in the fire. Is there any other records?
Star-
I have been looking at some things to see if I can find your father's name.
My dad told me that after the Battle of Attu the chain was declared secure and most of the units up there were shipped back to the states for reassignment. The Battle of Attu was mostly fought with the 7th Infantry Division, some units from Canada, Russia, and Britain.
A lot of the guys in the 7th were picked up by the 3rd Army under Patton. They ended up in the Battle of the Bulge. Of the 3rd, 10.000 went in, 300 came out. Very, very bloody.
I will keep looking and if I find something I will let you know.
One quick question: Did your dad ever mention which unit he was in or when exactly it was he got in-country?
Let me know.
All the best.-GL
i was looking for information on the 48th field artillery that was attached to the 7th infentry div on attu there is no mention of the artillery unit ,my father was in the 48th field artillery i would like to know if there is any photos or anything on them. his name was howard archer,.thank you ray archer
I am 70. I have just started ancestery web and found my mothers 2 brothers were in the army. I asked mom who is now 102 about this and she said they were Alaska. She thinks. Neither brother ever spoke of being in the Army. William Koenig and Joseph Koenig. Is there a way to find out if they were in the battles mentioned above. I would really like to see if there are pictures of them in the Aleutions, or anywhere. I apologize for my lack of knowledge, but I am very interested in this. Thanks
Jim, you can find some images from Attu online that are part of the University of Alaska's archive. It's unlikely you'll find family members in them, but you may want to look at them anyway.
There's also a more recent article about the fighting on Attu in the current (March/April 2012) issue of World War II magazine. It is available at many magazine retailers.
The University of Alaska's digital images can be found by going to this link and doing a search; try multiple searches (Attu, World War II, etc). http://vilda.alaska.edu/