Thank you for this lecture. My dad was in the Aleutians during the war and it is always interesting to learn more about that little-known theatre of the war. I spent lots of time, as a child, explaining to my friends that my dad was in Alaska during the war. None of them were ever aware there was anything going on in Alaska during WWII.
My Dad was at Attu. He was involved at Engineer Hill. I never knew the details as he wouldn't talk about it. The only thing I got out of him when I asked him if he was ever in hand-to-hand combat he just said once.
My Dad was with Company L, 53rd Infantry Regiment, Alaska Defense Command. They were formerly with the 7th Infantry Division and were sent to the Aleutions after the Japanese bombed Dutch Harbor. They built the airfield on Adak prior to the invasion of Attu. He said his unit (He was a Staff Sergeant, in a 60 mm mortar platoon) was in the Battle of Attu, and that they having already been in the Aleutions were acclimated and had winter clothing. Apparently they came in in reserve rather then making the first landing. He said that the 7th Infantry Division went in first without proper winter clothing, and took many casualties from frostbite, and a form of trench foot. He also made the landing at Kiska but it was a cake walk because the Japanese had abandoned the island prior to it's invasion. I am thinking the 7th' s Archives did not mention the 53rd and took all the credit for that battle.
My dad was on the engine crew of an attack transport. The ship had been built before the Titanic and was built in Germany as the Koenig Wilhelm II. It was given to the USA as a WWI war prize. It ferried troops and ammo from San Francisco and Concord Naval Weapons Station to Honolulu and back before being assigned to carry troops to the Attu and Kiska invasions. The ship was renamed Madewaska after WWI then later the Grant. He volunteered for landing craft duty and landed troops, then picked up what was left of them. He had some sad stories to tell about that.
Your comment is so detailed and I could imagine how brave your father was.I'm Japanese and my great uncle was killed in the Battle of Attu.I'd like to know more of the stories your dad talked to you...
@@Hitomi-c3k I'm glad to share. Do you have a private link? My dad's ship transported the first Japanese Prisoner of War from Honolulu to San Francisco. My dad brought him a piece of cherry pie to the fellow named Kazoo in the brig. Kazu asked for some silk and India ink and wrote a Haiku on it and presented it to my dad. He had it translated in the 1960's and it was about Peace in a sunny morning in a cherry orchard in Springtime.
@@kimmer6 I just googled the first Japanese prisoner of war in U.S. and his name "Kazuo Sakamaki" came up. It's a sad story but heartwarming at the same time.I can see how much he wanted to live a mundane life from his Haiku.
@@Hitomi-c3k Yes! That's his name. He was on a 2 man suicide midget submarine on December 7th, one of 10 submarines. Apparently the compass was faulty and he ran aground. The other sailor was shot and killed. My dad said that he was just a prisoner of war and did not know his circumstances until much later. He said the man was animated, smiled and bowed a lot, made gestures as he didn't speak any English. He was a small and likeable person, not an evil threat or monster as propaganda from the era described . My dad often repaired the oil fired galley stoves and oven when the burners would coke up. The Navy cooks would bake him a pie to take down to his engine room shipmates as thanks. They thought this Japanese man's name was Kazoo like the musical instrument and he was happy that his captors knew his name. My dad brought him a big piece of cherry pie knowing that the Japanese culture had special feelings for cherry blossoms. My dad passed away in 2002. Cherry pie was his favorite kind for as long as he lived. Somewhere in his belongings he still has the Haiku. I proudly took it to grade school in the early 1960's for show and tell period and can still picture it many decades later.
@@kimmer6 It's a valuable story that should be told for both Japan and the U.S. side.The relationship between Kazu and the American gives hints for those of us living today. Your dad was kinda living witness of history... Didn't your dad actually land on Attu island? My great uncle was a military doctor and I don't know the details but he is said to have participated in the last attack. Every time I imagine that tragic scene, my heart aches. I will be landing on Attu with government officials and two bereaved families this summer!
My grandfather spoke of it once before his passing. Said the winds picked up the airstrips and blew them away. I was very young at the time. Now I’m trying to find him again. He was also in the engineers corps
The Attuans did not return for several reasons. 1.) The village was flattened and there was and is a large amount of UXOs there still. 2.) Some Attuans settled in the Seattle area. The majority of the Survivors settled with the Village or Atka after the war. Atka's population was evacuated in June of 1942 to South East Alaska. When the village was rebuilt the Attuans joined them. Most of the original village of Atka was burned by the Navy to prevent being used if the Japanese invaded.
Very interesting my dad was stationed at at Adak from 43-45. He was part of the ADC in the army. I have no idea what unit he was in though. Is there any good reading material on Adak?
Thank you for this lecture. My dad was in the Aleutians during the war and it is always interesting to learn more about that little-known theatre of the war. I spent lots of time, as a child, explaining to my friends that my dad was in Alaska during the war. None of them were ever aware there was anything going on in Alaska during WWII.
My Dad was at Attu. He was involved at Engineer Hill. I never knew the details as he wouldn't talk about it. The only thing I got out of him when I asked him if he was ever in hand-to-hand combat he just said once.
Thank you for sharing
My Dad was with Company L, 53rd Infantry Regiment, Alaska Defense Command. They were formerly with the 7th Infantry Division and were sent to the Aleutions after the Japanese bombed Dutch Harbor. They built the airfield on Adak prior to the invasion of Attu. He said his unit (He was a Staff Sergeant, in a 60 mm mortar platoon) was in the Battle of Attu, and that they having already been in the Aleutions were acclimated and had winter clothing. Apparently they came in in reserve rather then making the first landing. He said that the 7th Infantry Division went in first without proper winter clothing, and took many casualties from frostbite, and a form of trench foot. He also made the landing at Kiska but it was a cake walk because the Japanese had abandoned the island prior to it's invasion. I am thinking the 7th' s Archives did not mention the 53rd and took all the credit for that battle.
Thank you for posting this so quickly. I am thankful that I am able to watch this on Memorial Day. It's good way to remember.
My grandfather was there 32nd Infantry Regiment 7th Infantry Division
thank you
My dad was on the engine crew of an attack transport. The ship had been built before the Titanic and was built in Germany as the Koenig Wilhelm II. It was given to the USA as a WWI war prize. It ferried troops and ammo from San Francisco and Concord Naval Weapons Station to Honolulu and back before being assigned to carry troops to the Attu and Kiska invasions. The ship was renamed Madewaska after WWI then later the Grant. He volunteered for landing craft duty and landed troops, then picked up what was left of them. He had some sad stories to tell about that.
Your comment is so detailed and I could imagine how brave your father was.I'm Japanese and my great uncle was killed in the Battle of Attu.I'd like to know more of the stories your dad talked to you...
@@Hitomi-c3k I'm glad to share. Do you have a private link? My dad's ship transported the first Japanese Prisoner of War from Honolulu to San Francisco. My dad brought him a piece of cherry pie to the fellow named Kazoo in the brig. Kazu asked for some silk and India ink and wrote a Haiku on it and presented it to my dad. He had it translated in the 1960's and it was about Peace in a sunny morning in a cherry orchard in Springtime.
@@kimmer6 I just googled the first Japanese prisoner of war in U.S. and his name "Kazuo Sakamaki" came up. It's a sad story but heartwarming at the same time.I can see how much he wanted to live a mundane life from his Haiku.
@@Hitomi-c3k Yes! That's his name. He was on a 2 man suicide midget submarine on December 7th, one of 10 submarines. Apparently the compass was faulty and he ran aground. The other sailor was shot and killed. My dad said that he was just a prisoner of war and did not know his circumstances until much later. He said the man was animated, smiled and bowed a lot, made gestures as he didn't speak any English. He was a small and likeable person, not an evil threat or monster as propaganda from the era described .
My dad often repaired the oil fired galley stoves and oven when the burners would coke up. The Navy cooks would bake him a pie to take down to his engine room shipmates as thanks. They thought this Japanese man's name was Kazoo like the musical instrument and he was happy that his captors knew his name. My dad brought him a big piece of cherry pie knowing that the Japanese culture had special feelings for cherry blossoms. My dad passed away in 2002. Cherry pie was his favorite kind for as long as he lived. Somewhere in his belongings he still has the Haiku. I proudly took it to grade school in the early 1960's for show and tell period and can still picture it many decades later.
@@kimmer6 It's a valuable story that should be told for both Japan and the U.S. side.The relationship between Kazu and the American gives hints for those of us living today. Your dad was kinda living witness of history...
Didn't your dad actually land on Attu island? My great uncle was a military doctor and I don't know the details but he is said to have participated in the last attack. Every time I imagine that tragic scene, my heart aches.
I will be landing on Attu with government officials and two bereaved families this summer!
My father was in the 50th engineers and on Attu. I do not know if he was in the battle. He never talked about his four island campaigns.
My grandfather spoke of it once before his passing. Said the winds picked up the airstrips and blew them away. I was very young at the time. Now I’m trying to find him again. He was also in the engineers corps
Great video.
TY great job. the best attu book i have read is storm on our shoes if that interests anyone
The Attuans did not return for several reasons. 1.) The village was flattened and there was and is a large amount of UXOs there still. 2.) Some Attuans settled in the Seattle area. The majority of the Survivors settled with the Village or Atka after the war. Atka's population was evacuated in June of 1942 to South East Alaska. When the village was rebuilt the Attuans joined them. Most of the original village of Atka was burned by the Navy to prevent being used if the Japanese invaded.
Very interesting my dad was stationed at at Adak from 43-45. He was part of the ADC in the army. I have no idea what unit he was in though. Is there any good reading material on Adak?
I have my father's certificate from the battle. How do I upload it?
Without supplies coming in, and nothing there to farm or eat or use for supplies for the Japanese, would a siege have worked against the Japanese?
Some do refer to themselves as Aleuts. It is pronounced (Oonagnian) Unanagiax.