Aleutian Servicemen

a historic scene of a military dining hall in which men sit and eat dinner at long tables.
Servicemen hailed from all walks of life and were united under a single goal: to protect US territory, including in the Aleutian Islands.

NPS Photo / Neil Fugate Collection

 

Their most deadly enemy was the weather. Trapped at the edge of the world, the pilots, sailors, and soldiers of the Aleutian Campaign went out into the treacherous Aleutian waters and skies repeatedly. Some men flew thousands of miles to take the fight to the Japanese. Find out more about these brave men, their terrifying ordeals, and sometimes tragic stories through the online resources below.

 
 

People

  • two men sit on the bumper of a truck
    US Army & Army Air Corps Veterans

    Medics, pilots, engineers, musicians, and more. Explore dozens of interviews, profiles, and photos from the US Army.

  • Three rows of uniformed sailors in front of a submarine
    Semper Paratus
    US Coast Guard Veterans

    Dive into personal experiences of USCG veterans who served in WWII in Alaska.

  • a woman looks at a glass object at a laboratory desk
    The Home Front

    Learn more about folks supporting the war effort on the home front. Listen to interviews, browse photos, or read written memoirs.

  • Logo with eagle and anchor around a globe. Text reads United States Marine Corps
    US Marine Corps Veterans

    Interviews and stories from veterans of the US Marine Corps in Alaska during WWII.

  • A man stands on a hill above a treeless river valley and distant buildings
    US Navy Veterans

    Dozens of US Navy veterans recall their time serving during World War II in the Aleutian Islands. Photos, interviews, & memoirs.

  • a logo of an eagle, anchor, and crossed swords surrounded by maple leaves with a crown on top
    Canadian Forces

    Explore stories from Canadian Forces service members who worked alongside Americans in the Aleutians.

 

History

  • Black and white photo of a town with burning buildings and billowing smoke.
    Bombing of Dutch Harbor

    Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese aircraft struck Dutch Harbor naval base and the nearby town of Unalaska.

  • Black and white photo of three planes flying over ocean and mountains
    The Invasion of Kiska

    On June 7, 1942, the Japanese invaded the Aleutian island of Kiska. At its height of occupation 6,800 Japanese personnel were on the island.

  • a historic scene of five soldiers carrying a litter with a person on it through mountainous terrain.
    Battle of Attu

    Lasting 18 days, the Battle of Attu was one of the deadliest battles of World War II, but it remains one of the least well-known.

Last updated: October 3, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Aleutian Islands WWII Visitor Center
2716 Airport Beach Road
Unalaska, AK 99692

Phone:

907-581-9944

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