During World War II the remote Aleutian Islands, home to the Unangax̂ (Aleut) people for over 8,000 years, became a fiercely contested battleground in the Pacific. This thousand-mile-long archipelago saw invasion by Japanese forces, the occupation of two islands; a mass relocation of Unangax̂ civilians; a 15-month air war; and one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific Theater.
A homeland changed
In September 2009, Nick Lekanoff, Sr., former Makushin resident, traveled with his daughter and other descendants of Makushin on the Tiglax to visit the village site, which had been left behind in the evacuation of 1942 and never permanently resettled.
William C. House and the Aerological Detail on Kiska
After his aerological crew was captured by the Japanese in June, 1942, Senior Petty Officer William House survived 50 days in the hills of Kiska. He ate grass, shellfish, and worms. Weighing 80lbs he surrendered and was respected for his perseverance.
Evacuation and internment
Pribilof villagers, here lining the railing of the USAT Delarof on the day of their departure (June 15, 1942), were evacuated with only a few hours notice and no idea of their ultimate destination.
Challenging weather conditions
Soldiers rub the frostbitten feet of a disabled soldier. Over 2000 weather-related casualties—the majority Attu feet—were recorded for U.S. troops. This number represents the largest classification of casualties suffered by American forces on the island.
The battle for Attu Island
U.S. wounded are gathered from the battlefield on Attu Island. The battle on Attu, lasting nearly 20 days, was the second most deadly in the Pacific Theater.
Cultural collision
The Aleutian campaign brought together Russian, Native Alaskan, Japanese, and Euroamerican cultures. During the war 7 historic churches were damaged or destroyed. Villages were unrecognizable or burned to the ground and personal belonging lost or stolen.
