U.S. troops capture the Marshall Islands | February 3, 1944 | HISTORY

American forces invade and [take control](http://Finally, the Division halted movement for the night of 3 February and issued a new order for the 32nd Regiment to finish off the last 600 yards or so of island clearing remaining. After fending off five night attacks by desperate Japanese, the fresh attack kicked off on the morning of the 4th of February, and by that afternoon the island was declared secure.) of the Marshall Islands, long occupied by the Japanese and used by them as a base for military operations.