This Day in History: WWII’s “Forgotten Battle” in Alaska

ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) Brig. Gen. Archibald Arnold issues orders for the defense of Engineer Hill during the banzai attack on Attu on 29 May 1943. (2) A chow line on Attu in late May 1943. (3) 11th AF B-17Es and B-24Ds attack Dutch Harbor on Kiska from just 700 feet during the Japanese withdrawal from the island in May 1943. (4) GIs go ashore unopposed on Kiska in the Aleutians after Attu was retaken in early June 1943. (5) Burying the dead at Dutch Harbor in June 1943. (6) 11th FS, 43d FG P-40Es over Kiska in the Aleutians in early June 1943. (7) Ground crews work on 11th FS, 343d FG P-40Es on Kiska in July 1943. (8)
343d FG P-40Es release their drop tanks and dive to attack Japanese Nells and Zeroes headed for Durtch Harbor on Kiska in July 1943.

SGT Wayne Dunn Amn (Join to see) SGT J.D. Corr SPC Lisa Hughes LTC Tom Jones A1C Crystal Winbush SPC Mike Bennett 1LT Larry Bass CPT (Join to see) SGT Gerald “Jerry” Harrell MSG (Join to see) SGT Damaso V Santana 1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR) PFC Francine Fontana SPC Jared Robbins Pvt Thomas Chapman CPL Miguel Velez SrA Bruce Banner CPT Art Jacobs CPT Endre Barath

The Alaska campaign is where the 7th Infantry Division began its WW2 spurs tour. Bad weather, bad equipment, and terrible ground made for a rough go but the Bayonet Division prevailed. Fortunately, their fighting travels took them to warmer crimes later in the war.

I lived on Fort Ord on the street named for the battle at Holtz Bay on Attu. And I've been part of operations in the Bering Sea, which gave me a great appreciation of what those men endured.

Once again, thanks for a valuable history lesson. I always liked Charlton Heston, in the movies of course, as I did not know him personally.