Alaska and the Aleutian Islands

A history of the 807th Battalion as they arrive in Alaska and begin work in Yakutat, Unalaska, Umnak Island, and Port Heiden.

History of the 807th Battalion and its work on Adak Island during World War II. After navigating to the island the engineers set about constructing runways, offices, housing, and other infrastructure.

History of the 807th Battalion and their work in the Aleutians including Adak. Also included are messages from General Marshall and General Landrum.

World War II came to Alaska with the Japanese bombing of Dutch Harbor and the invasion of Attu and Kiska islands in 1942. Adak Army Base and Naval Operating Base is one of eight historic landmarks that commemorate World War II in Alaska.

Discover some first-hand accounts of areographers, who made weather observations to help keep military personnel safe.

A native of Birmingham, AL, Al spent time at a number of state-side bases before being sent to the Aleutians, where he reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Learn more about his war experiences.

During World War II the remote Aleutian Islands, home to the Unangax̂ (Aleut) people for over 8,000 years, became one of the fiercely contested battlegrounds of the Pacific. This thousand-mile-long archipelago saw the first invasion of American soil since the War of 1812, a mass internment of American civilians, a 15-month air war, and one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific Theatre.

A beef loaf recipe, circa World War II.

A gingerbread recipe from The Army Cook, TM 10-405, circa World War II.

A pie crust recipe from The Army Cook, circa World War II.